Amidst the mighty torrent of history, few heroes in the East and West have stood out like Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great
Alexander (356 B.C.E.–323 B.C.E.) and the first Great Khan (1162–1227) both had a thing about conquering the world. And they were both record-breakingly good at it. But in addition to their success on the battlefield and in empire-building, they also shared values and ambitions, a connection with their respective gods, and an interest in new knowledge and cultural diffusion.
Starting with his first victory at age 18, Alexander never lost a battle. Through his conquests, his empire became the largest the world had known—spanning over two million square miles from the Adriatic to northwestern India. His goal, however, was to reach the “ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea.”
Alexander was a bold and charismatic leader who fought among his men, personally leading them into decisive battles. He took the mythical Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior of all time, as his role model. And he considered Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, his father. During the 13 years of his reign, Alexander attained a number of enviable titles including King of Macedon, Hegemon of Hellenic League, Pharaoh of Egypt, Shah of Persia, and Lord of Asia.
Alexander disdained hedonism, and pursued honor and self-restraint. He did not indulge in food (only wine), and was generous in rewarding his men for their achievements.
Interestingly, Alexander’s first tutor was Aristotle. Aristotle infused a philosophical take in the young prince, teaching him rhetoric, geometry, and astronomy. He also introduced Alexander to Homeric poetry and medicine, both of which became lifelong interests. An enthusiastic learner and avid reader, Alexander had a team of botanists and zoologists collecting wildlife specimen wherever they went, and always carried an annotated copy of The Iliad in his campaigns. Indeed, one of his greatest legacies is the spread of Greek culture across the ancient world.
