Because of his endless glory, the true history of Alexander the Great has always been a fascinating topic. Many stories, passed down through centuries, depict the Greek leader's conquests from Spain to India, to Scotland and Ethiopia, and are told everywhere. Although no one knows exactly where and when these stories began, the legendary protagonist Adamant says they originated from letters written by Alexander himself.
The various points of view corroborate each other, and although they are expressed in different ways, some of the core elements are always retained – perhaps because they did happen.
The world-famous military strategist Alexander
One of the great military strategists of antiquity was Alexander the Great of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Alexander is reported to have been born on July 20, 356 BC and died on June 10, 323 BC, approaching his 33rd birthday. He was a prodigy crown prince who "became a cavalry general at the age of 18, a ruler of the throne at the age of 20, a successful defeat of the Persian Empire at the age of 26, and a challenge to explore the borders of India at the age of 30".
Alexander is revered as the embodiment of excellence in extraordinary military intelligence. He introduced a series of notable innovations in the Macedonian army, such as the introduction of a team of hired engineers and equipment specialists, which were precedent-setting at the time. At the same time, his strategic thinking is also outstanding, "with rapid action, effective logistical support, meticulous intelligence and communications liaison, and a unique response to contingencies."
The picture shows "Alexander Fights King Darius III of Persia", created by the Alexander Mosaic, which is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
The regret of an untimely death
Assuming that Alexander did not die too soon, he could have conquered far more territory than we know. There is a theory of Alexander's life that he died as a result of an elaborate murder plan by the enemy. Others argue that he actually attributed his own causes, such as malaria or typhoid fever. There is truth to both theories: those who make great contributions must make many enemies, and at the same time, prolonged drinking and severe injuries sustained in war can lead to the outbreak of disease. Among the many little-known secrets, most legends insist that he died at the hands of someone else.
The mysteries surrounding Alexander's death have never diminished her place in our hearts. In general, the Romance of Alexander is a fictional account of Alexander the Great's magnificent conquests in Asia, which are deeply rooted in the myths surrounding his skills in governance."
In the 4th century B.C., little was known about the wider world around us. Previously, the Persian Empire had long blocked communication routes between southern Europe and North Africa and the Chinese and Indian subcontinents. By the time Alexander set foot on the Eurasian continent without admitting defeat, this estrangement had long since disappeared, and Alexander's glory spread all over the world.
Alexander's death ceremony
Alexander's brilliant life
His bravery, wisdom, and character (considered one of the Nine Warriors) allowed Alexander to continue to enjoy widespread influence today. Like a piece of Persian poetry, an Arabic language, an Ethiopian romance, images from the Qur'an, medieval works about him in French, German, Spanish, and English, medieval manuscripts, sculptures, and mosaics that vividly reproduce his adventures, [Alexander] even appears in the Hebrew Talmud" (quoted in Lorberfeld, 2012).
In addition to the tangible heroic figures, Alexander's love stories also offer endless imagination – far-flung regions, mysterious Near East landscapes, and deep Asian history and culture are brought to life. As described in Richard Stoneman's book The Legendary Adventures of Alexander the Great, the following is a letter from a soldier to Alexander, who had just defeated the Persian invaders.
By then, Alexander (356–323 BCE) had become ruler of Egypt and other states, and the Macedonian Empire had expanded to include important strategic and trading hubs, and many new cities were built, often named "Alexander." Everywhere he stopped, he would personally create and plan the layout of the city. He directed the Greek architect Dinocrates in the construction of the palace. The walls they built are still standing today.
"At that time, I wondered if this place was the end of the world, the junction of the sky. After convincing himself, he ordered someone to capture the two flying white birds that were brought back to this place for study. This migratory bird is tall and strong, but it has a soft personality, and it has not escaped when it sees us outsiders. Soldiers soar high into the sky on white birds. Because of their penchant for corpses, they attracted a large number of bones in garbage bags. I also captured two of them, ordered them to fast for three days, and then made a nylon neck covering from sticks and cowhides, and put myself in a cowhide bag in the cradle, and held two spears with the livers of migratory birds, and the birds leaped into the air as if they had seen the food. Following them, I seemed to reach the edge of the earth. The wings of the strong flapped lightly, and the cold wind in the mist made my whole body tremble. At this moment, an old woman-like flyer approached me and said, "Alexander, are you going to explore heaven before you have exhausted the land? In the meantime, turn down and look at the land. ”
Under her guidance, I looked down and saw a giant python hovering with an oval area like a grain field in the middle. My partner told me, "Point your spear toward that area, because that's the world." The python that brings you back to the world is just an ocean that surrounds the world. "Following this revelation, I returned to the place where my soldiers were, and there were only seven days ahead, and they were ready to welcome me back. After I went ashore, I needed to keep warm and regain my strength. I found one of my generals, borrowed 300 horses, and when I returned, exhausted and cold. I felt powerless and determined not to try to accomplish the impossible feats. We hope you are doing well.