blurred-reality.com – Whether or not Alexander the Great was a good person is subjective, as his good and historic deeds are accompanied by acts of brutality, hubris, and authoritarianism. Let’s take a quick look at its bright and dark sides.
Netflix‘s non-fiction genre continues to grow with interesting and informative documentaries. For anyone interested in history, the streamer recently ended January 2024 with a new docudrama about the ancient Macedonian ruler Alexander the Greatwhich is currently streaming.
Alexander: Making a God is a six-part Netflix documentary series that combines historical facts and new information about Alexander the Great’s meteoric ascension with theatrical reenactments of his legendary life.
With the release of the docuseries, we discovered that many people wanted to know if Alexander the Great was a good person, as historians and scholars have different perspectives on his character. Well, here is our verdict on the subject.
Determine if Alexander the Great was a good person with some of his brutal and dark deeds!
Alexander the Great was only 32 years old when he died. In such a short period of time, his contribution has had an impact on the lives of many people for centuries. It is not without reason that his first name is always accompanied by ‘the Great’. However, does this mean he was a good person?
Well, Alexander the Great raises a wide range of ideas about whether he was a good or bad person. His conquests established one of history’s largest empires, ranging from Greece to Egypt and India. His strategic insight and leadership skills earned him the love and admiration of his troops, cementing his reputation as a formidable and successful commander.
The cultural significance of Alexander’s efforts cannot be overstated; with his policy of syncretism he attempted to merge the Greek and Persian civilizations, creating the Hellenistic civilization that left an indelible effect on history.
However, his dark sides are just as striking. His victories are marked by atrocities, such as the brutal destruction of Thebes and the murder of his close friend Cleitus in a fit of drunken wrath. These actions raise doubts about the morality of his authority and paint a bleak picture of a leader capable of taking drastic action. Furthermore, his embrace of Persian practices, especially the problematic practice of proskynesis, caused unrest within his own ranks and raised eyebrows.
With Alexander’s belief in his own divinity, the distinction between praise and criticism becomes even more blurred. His arrogance and delusions of grandeur, as evidenced by his claims of divine descent and expectation of heavenly accolades, are disturbing to some. The ambition of total power and the authoritarian control imposed on conquered territories complicate judgment of his character, with the label “tyrannical” often discussed among those studying his reign.
In conclusion, determining whether Alexander the Great was a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ person is a difficult and subjective task. His military triumphs and cultural contributions are juxtaposed with acts of brutality, hubris and authoritarianism, forcing historians and researchers to navigate the nuances of his legacy and draw their conclusions about this intriguing historical figure.
Times when Alexander the Great was not a good man!
It’s up to you to decide whether Alexander the Great was a good or a bad person. However, we should not forget that he did some reasons to be called a bad leader due to his history of high murder rates, disrespect for his soldiers and ineffective leadership.
Although Alexander the Great is admired for his military skill and the vast empire he established, certain aspects of his personality and behavior have led some to label him as an ‘evil’ person. Notably, his atrocities during conquests, such as the brutal sack of Thebes in 335 BCE and the murder of his closest ally Cleituscast a dark shadow over his leadership.
His dictatorial rule, which included imposing Macedonian officials in conquered territory without regard to local customs, led to discontent and rebellion.
Furthermore, others saw Alexander’s belief in his own divine status and implementation of proskynesis as symptoms of pride, calling into question the traditional Greek principles of moderation and humility. The destruction of Persepolis, the Persian capital, is another controversial episode that raises questions about its objectives and techniques.
While recognizing Alexander the Great’s military genius, critics view these incidents as evidence of a dark side to his personality, providing a nuanced and diverse assessment of his historical legacy.