Lecture on Plutarch's Lives: Alexander the Great
Background
- Philip of Macedon
- Father of Alexander the Great
- Experienced a day of triumph: victory in battle, Olympic victory, and birth of Alexander.
Alexander's Early Life
- Known as a precocious, intelligent child
- Tutored by Aristotle
- Learned secret teachings not written by Aristotle
- Initially close relationship but later became distant
- Family conflict
- Tension between father (Philip) and mother (Olympias)
- Alexander sided with his mother
- Strained relations further at a family wedding event
Early Military Career
- First Military Experience
- Led a charge at age 16 during his father's absence
- Bucephalus
- Alexander tamed the unruly horse, Bucephalus, by turning it away from its shadow
Ascension to Power
- Philip assassinated, Alexander became king at age 20
- Immediately began campaigns against surrounding enemies
Notable Campaigns
- Thebes
- Harsh treatment of Theban revolt; later regretted
- Persian Empire
- Fought against Darius
- Noted for showing clemency towards Darius’s family
Alexander’s Character
- Clemency towards conquered peoples
- Kind to the conquered, e.g., allowing Porus to remain king in India
Dark Side
- Cruelty to friends
- Notable incident: killed a friend in an argument, leading to deep mourning
- Influenced by philosophers, one emboldening him to act arrogantly
- Transition to arrogance and fear among friends
Downfall of Conquests
- Spoils of War
- Soldiers became idle and luxurious
- Continued Desire for Battle
- Contrasted with soldiers' preference for luxury
Physical Hardships
- Injuries: stone hit to neck, arrow wounds
- Resilience in battle but eventually succumbed to sickness at age 33
Death and Legacy
- Unclear cause of death: possibly poison or illness
- Massive grief over the death of his best friend Hephaestion
- After Alexander's death, his empire fell into civil war and dissolution
Moral of the Story
- Importance of making contingency plans to ensure lasting legacy
Alexander the Great's life was a complex mix of brilliant military achievements, deep personal flaws, familial tensions, and ultimately, a legacy that was not preserved after his death.