Monday, April 13, 2009

What did Alexander the Great try to accomplish in Central Asia?

What did Alexander the Great try to accomplish in Central Asia? To what extent was he successful? Based on your own clear definition of 'greatness' in a leader, does Alexander's record in Central Asia deserve praise or blame?


He was trying to unite the whole world under his own leadership. While he was alive to personally lead his armies, the Macedonians suffered very few defeats and astonishing political achievements were made. He moved his capital from Greece to Babylon (a little bit south of where Baghdad is today in Iraq) and from there, conquered all of Persia (what is today Iran), Afghanistan, and parts of Pakistan and India.

The government he set up was a military dictatorship under his personal control, and everything was organized around supporting the massive military structure needed to keep this huge empire together, especially in an age when the fastest way to get from point A to point B was on horseback. Maybe you don't like the idea of a military dictatorship but that was, at the time, about the most efficient and effective form of government available.

He was able to project an army that WALKED from what is today Albania to what is today India. Keeping that army fed and supplied with fresh water, boots, weapons, and healthy horses -- using only naval supply ships and horse-drawn supply wagons -- has to rank as one of the most remarkable feats of logistics ever performed in human history.

Alexander's military abilities were legendary and are still studied today.

He spread Greek ideas about logic, learning, philosophy, nature, and science wherever he conquered, and thousands of years after his death, cultures from around the globe trace their cultural and intellectual heritage back to him.

All of this makes Alexander rightfully considered one of the most remarkable and successful leaders in all of human history.

His big problem is that he died very young, before he had a chance to really consolidate his empire. On his deathbed, his generals gathered around and asked who should inherit Alexander's empire when he passed. His answer was, "The strongest." For this, he can be faulted. He allowed this mighty empire to fragment and collapse, and never planned for how it would survive his own death.

Oh, and he was gay. Yes, he married an Afghan princess for political reasons, but his true love was a Greek man named Hephaestion. Alexander and Hephaestion had been boyhood friends and in their teenage years began sleeping together; they kept up a romance that lasted until Hephaestion's death, which Alexander never stopped mourning until he died himself. Maybe you like gay people and want to hold up Alexander as a gay hero. Maybe you don't like gay people and think Alexander should be criticized for that. That's up to you, but it's not seriously questioned that the homosexual romance took place.

he was trying to take over and rule the world (most leaders have that vision) but he wanted a better way of life for all of the ppl he conquerded (and especially those in macedonia, his homeland) he should be praised as he is one of the most sucessful conqueres of all time....he was a great tactian, commander and he cared for his soldiers....he was probably a good bloke too lol =] he got to india and was severly injured and later recovered but was poisioned by one of his generals so he was sucessful to a certain extent

Alexander the Great tried to unite all of the known world. He had the best army back then and everyone liked his rule. He pretty much succeeded, but after his death, his empire broke apart. He was one was the most important people in the West.

There are many theories concerning his death. One was that he died of malaria while he was on his way home from the East.

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