Alexander the Great is one of the few figures in history who actually lived up to his name. In less than 10 years, he went from a young Macedonian king to the ruler of the largest empire the world had ever known. We looked through some sources on what made this man so great. Here are nine powerful facts that truly earned him the name “Great.”
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United the Greek city-states
Athens, Sparta, and Thebes had all been at war with each other for years. Alexander conquered all the Greek city-states and brought them under his control, both by military and diplomacy. With Greece finally united, he could launch his conquests of the world.
Defeated the Persian Empire
The Persian Empire was the most powerful empire of the time, and had huge armies and seemingly limitless resources. Alexander managed to defeat them in one battle after another until Persia was brought to its knees. His victory at Gaugamela in 331 BCE made him the master of Asia.
Founded more than 20 cities
Alexander did not just conquer; he also built. During his campaigns, he founded over 20 cities, many of which were named Alexandria. They became centers of trade, learning and culture long after his empire had crumbled.
Built one of the largest empires in history
By the time he was 30 years old, Alexander had built an empire that stretched from Greece all the way to India. No leader before him had united such a massive and diverse region so quickly. He changed the political map of the ancient world in under a decade.
Spread Greek culture far and wide
Alexander popularized Greek language, art, and ideas wherever he traveled. But he also encouraged Greeks to mix with local cultures, so something new and unique could emerge. That new Hellenistic culture had a lasting impact on cities, science, and education.
Captured the “unconquerable” city of Tyre
Tyre was a city built on an island that many at the time considered impossible to capture. However, Alexander built a massive causeway out into the sea to get his army and equipment to the island. It was a feat of determination and engineering ingenuity that astounded the world.
Conquered Egypt without resistance
When Alexander the Great marched into Egypt, the people greeted him as their liberator from Persian oppression. He was quickly crowned pharaoh and almost immediately founded the city of Alexandria. That city would later become home to the famous library and lighthouse.
Pushed into India and beat King Porus
Crossing the dangerous Hindu Kush mountains was already impressive, but Alexander didn’t stop there. At the Battle of the Hydaspes, he defeated King Porus, even though Porus had war elephants. This showed Alexander’s ability to adapt to new challenges.
He never lost a single battle
In the end, perhaps the most amazing fact of all is that Alexander fought in over 20 major battles and never lost. He was victorious against larger armies, unfamiliar tactics, and difficult terrain. This undefeated record is one of the reasons that he is remembered as “the Great.”
Sources: The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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