Aleksandra Bojović
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Publishing House PČELICA Kolubarska 4, Čačak, Serbia office@pcelica.rs www.pcelica.rs
E
ven though the greatest part of his life remains a mystery, history distinguishes him as one of the most successful military leaders. His name is Alexander the Great, and the following story will take you to the end of the world and back.
Alexander the Great 6
A Great Son of a Great Father
Alexander III or Alexander of Macedon is rightfully
remembered all over the world as Alexander the Great. He successfully completed every endeavour he undertook and he did it all very fast. During the thirty-three years of his short life, he managed to conquer the most part of what was at that time known as the world. He left behind an empire which was a reflection of himself: powerful, but short-lived.
Alexander the Great was born in 356 B. C. in the city of Pella, in Ancient Macedonia1, a region which is today a part of Greece. His father was King Philip II of Macedon from the Argead dynasty, and his mother’s name was Olympias. The citizens of Ancient Macedonia spoke Greek and should not be confused with today’s Macedonians who are a Slavic ethnic group.
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A Student of a Great Philosopher When Alexander was fourteen years old his father found
him a teacher fit for a future king. He employed Aristotle, the greatest philosopher of the ancient world. In addition to knowledge in the fields of philosophy1, rhetoric2, and astronomy3, Aristotle provoked in young Alexander an interest in the heroic deeds described in Homer’s4 epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. Many believe that, during his reign, Alexander often asked his teacher for advice.
hilosophy is a discipline which literally means “love for P wisdom”. 2 Rhetoric or oratory is the ability to speak eloquently and convincingly. 3 Astronomy is the science which studies the cosmos. 4 Homer was a blind poet of the ancient world known for his epics the Iliad and the Odyssey. While the Iliad describes the Trojan War, the Odyssey describes the journey of the hero Odysseus on his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. 1
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Alexander the Great’s teacher, the philosopher Aristotle, attended Plato’s Academy in Athens when he was a young man, and was one of Plato’s students. Later he founded his own school called the Lyceum.
Thoughts on Gratitude
I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. Alexander the Great
Aristotle is remembered not only as the author of philosophical texts in the field of ethics1, but also as a very moral person who truly lived in accordance with the principles he taught. As such, Aristotle was a great choice with regard to preparing the future king for his role in life. Ethics is a branch of philosophy which studies questions of morality.
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Studying Politics The most important field of study in which Aristotle educated
the future ruler was politics and the skill of running a state. In fact, Aristotle considered men to be political animals, born to live in a community. The first such community is the family. Thoughts on Power
Heaven cannot brook two suns, nor earth two masters. Alexander the Great
The ancient society was based on slavery, which meant that there were masters and their slaves, who had no rights. In accordance with this, even Aristotle taught young Alexander that masters were rational beings, while slaves were predetermined for physical work. 10
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Aleksandra Bojović
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Publishing House PČELICA Kolubarska 4, Čačak, Serbia office@pcelica.rs www.pcelica.rs