Leadership

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great is arguably the greatest military leader in

history.

By never losing a battle, by conquering nearly the known world in

twelve years, and by spreading his influence on the known world,

Alexander was the first person to receive the title “The Great.”

Let us find more about the legendary life of Alexander the Great.

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.”

(Alexander the Great)

Youth

When Alexander was 13 years old,

he became the pupil of Aristotle.

Aristotle

Aristotle is considered as one of the greatest

minds in history.

Alexander was eager to learn and Aristotle kindle

the love for literature, sciences, rhetoric,

philosophy, and sports in him.

Alexander was interested in the foreign policy

and would meet with ambassadors from different

countries that came to his father’s court.

Rise to Power

At age 16, Alexander was given command

of Macedonia while Philip II went to war

against Byzantium.

When Alexander was only 18, he

commanded part of Philip's cavalry at the

battle of Chaeronea.

Alexander also acted as his father's

ambassador to Athens.

After his father’s death in 336 B.C.,

Alexander became king at the age of 20.

Conquests Within the Persian Empire Alexander went on to conquer

the territories of Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Anatolia, Syria, Gaza, Bactria, and Egypt.

In 331 B.C. while conquering Egypt, Alexander established the famous city of Alexandria.

The priests of Egypt proclaimed Alexander Pharaoh of their lands, the son of the sun god Ammon Ra.

This shows us that Alexander was a more brilliant military leader than the Romans.

After Alexander conquered the western half of India, he decided to move towards the eastern half, but his men, tired of fighting, decided against this.

Alexander’s Empire

Military Tactics Alexander had a great military mind.

He was an expert at organizing his units for complex battle maneuvers.

Hiding his true numbers and managing his army during the flow of battle was the key to his success during a war.

Development of the Phalanx was also a strategy.

Alexander used to fight right along with his men and this was one of his best known military tactics.

Alexander’s Principles of War

Principles

of War

Skilled Maneuvers

Economy of Force

Unpredictable

SecurityObjective mindset

Simple strategies

Unity of Command

Alexander’s March

Alexander’s Death

Facts:

In Babylon

33-year-old

Poisoned wine

Who’s the killer? Still a mystery.

Some believe it to be conspiracy involving Iollas, Cassander, and others who were unhappy with Alexander.

He succumbed to illness. Thus, on June 10, 323 B.C., Alexander the Great died in the Palace of Nabukodonossor.

Alexander’s Legacy

Alexander is not only known for conquering practically the

known civilized world, he is also known for issuing in the

Hellenistic age.

The Hellenistic age was the age of Greek influence and the

spread of Greek culture across the world.

Alexander was known for issuing in this age because he

brought together so many different civilizations.

Everywhere he conquered, Alexander would build new cities

and establish schools, museums, and libraries within these

cities.

In Alexandria, Egypt Alexander built a famous museum where

the works of art and evidence of man’s creativity could be

studied and collected.

By doing such deeds as these, Greek culture was taught,

learned, and preserved for over a thousand years with the help

of Rome and Christianity.

Library of Alexandria

The Ancient Library of Alexandria

was built in Alexandria, Egypt.

This library was one of the largest

and most significant libraries of

the ancient world.

It also functioned as a major

centre of scholarship in the 3rd

century B.C.

The library had collections of

works, lecture halls, meeting

rooms and gardens.

A TRUE LEADER In conclusion, many historians

believe that Alexander the Great would have conquered the entire world if he had lived to a normal old age.

Alexander was able to achieve what no other man dreamed possible.

Not only did he conquer almost the known civilized world in 12 years, but Alexander also brought about a spread of Greek culture into the vast reaches of the world.

Alexander was destined for glory and he achieved it.

Alexander’s Leadership Qualities

Leadership Qualities

Courage

Resilience

Openness to experience

Farsightedness

Intelligence

High tolerance for frustration