Alexander the Great

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The Drunk and Violent Man; Not Meant to Lead

“There is no question that Alexander was spectacularly successful in the military field…,” (Worthington). Professor Ian Worthington, in his article How “Great” Was Alexander, does a fine job expressing the many ways that Alexander the Great was “great”, while also providing very good reasons to how he might not have been such a good ruler after all. Alexander the Great has been considered “great” for many thousands of years, and in many ways, he was. But I do not consider Alexander as “great”, due to the fact that he sought to conquer rather than govern, was an alcoholic, and was a very violent man. Due to these factors, Alexander should not be described as “great”.

Despite Alexander the Great’s many military accomplishments, he neglected to sufficiently govern his land. Alexander seemed far more focused on conquering native lands than governing his own territory and people. “He showed no signs of coming back until his men forced the issue with mutiny,” (Worthington). In Professor Ian Worthington’s same article, How “Great” was Alexander, he shows how far and long Alexander and his troops had been traveling and fighting for the seemingly unnecessary bloodshed. Alexander’s strong and brave squadron had been traversing and fighting through countries for eleven years, over 11,000 miles, with Alexander giving no indication of stopping. Finally, through mutiny, his soldiers convinced him to return to Macedon in 323 BC. “Macedon needed a king, and Alexander was not there,” (Worthington). Ian Worthington is again proving how much Alexander neglected actually ruling his empire. Alexander was away conquering lands for eleven out of the thirteen years of his reign , leaving his lands and people without their king.

As well as neglecting his people, Alexander was an alcoholic. His drunken rages often caused him to make rash decisions, such as killing people close to him. During a drunken brawl at a banquet, Alexander with his own hand killed Cleitus, who had commanded half the ‘Companions’ under Philotas and had retained his position after Philotas’ death,” (History Study Center). History Study Center’s article, Alexander the Great and the Creation of an Empire, shows how Alexander was indeed an alcoholic, and was prone to killing when drunk. In fact, Alexander was addicted to alcohol so much that, when he died, he had a “beer-belly”. Someone who is addicted to alcohol and prone to making rash decisions definitely does not fit the description of greatness.

Aside from having land-hunger and being a drunk, Alexander had a reputation for being a violent man. Because of his need for more land and a bigger empire, Alexander cared little for the amount of men he lost in battle. “He was ruthless and capable of acting without mercy against both enemies in the field and those among his own followers who had lost his trust.” ABC Clio, in the article Career of Alexander the Great, shows just how violent a man Alexander truly was. Despite his aptitude for military strategy, he was ruthless to all who crossed him, be it an enemy or someone who he no longer trusted. This caused him to be feared by many, and was a major contributor to his great success. Despite this, Alexander’s violence should also influence the debate about him not being as “great” as he is widely considered.

A ruler who is wholly committed to conquering other land, cares little about ruling his empire, is an alcoholic, and a highly violent man, does not deserve to be king. “Does a man deserve to be called “The Great” who was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of his own men and for unnecessary wholesale slaughter of native peoples?” (Worthington). Professor Ian Worthington again helps shed light on the fact that Alexander might not have completely deserved the title of “great". Despite Alexander the Great’s many victories and accomplishments, considering his need for conquest, alcoholism, and violence, he should not have gained the title of “great”.

Citations:

Worthington, Ian. "How "Great" Was Alexander? [P.1]." How "Great" Was Alexander? [P.1]. N.p., 1999. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

Badian, E. "Alexander the Great and the Creation of an Empire, II: The New Empire."History Today 8.7 (7 Oct. 1958): History Study Center. Web. 22 Sept. 2015.

Bialo, Ellen. "career of Alexander the Great." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2015. Web. 22 Sept. 2015

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