Alexander the Great

From “Peoples and Empires”,

by Anthony Pagden

Reviewed by Terry Onley

Alexander’s empire was the largest the ancient world had

known, although it only lasted from 336 – 323 B.C.

His vision was of universal empire, diverse

cultures living together in peace…

In order to achieve this, he put together the largest army ever to leave

Greek soil, armed with long pikes and advancing in phalanxes, who

punctured many people and thus brought peace to a large portion of

the ancient world.

Especially the ones who

were punctured…

There were some 5,000

horsemen, too, who also did a fair bit

of puncturing and whatnot.

When confronted with the puzzle of the Gordian Knot,

Alexander just drew his sword

and cut the knot, thus

creating an aura of divine

approval for his campaign

of conquest…

Good thing he had sharpened his sword earlier that day;

My, wouldn’t that have been embarrassing?!

Oops

Alexander died in the spring of 323 B.C., apparently of acute

alcoholism. His empire

pretty much died with

him.

The idea that such

conquest and empire

was possible did not,

however.

His vision of empire lived on,

as a model for many aspiring empire-builders to come…

Sources:

• Text, all slides: “Peoples and Empires”

Anthony Pagden

• Images, all slides: Google Images