Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

2022-09-28 20:27:31Histori SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Alexander the Great

 

 

Perhaps the greatest military genius of the ancient world, the warrior-king Alexander of Macedon conquered territories stretching from Greece to Egypt and beyond to present-day Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. Combining successes in battle with a strategy of kingdom building, Alexander spent his 13-year reign working to unite East and West through military force and cultural exchange.

Alexander's reputation grew rapidly even after his death at the age of 32, as he was seen as a god. But there are some things we don't know about Alexander, here are 8 surprising facts about him:

1 – It was taught by Aristotle, but it was also related to other philosophers

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

Alexander's father, Philip II of Macedon hired Aristotle, one of history's greatest philosophers, to educate his 13-year-old prince. According to legend, while still a prince in Greece, Alexander became close to Diogenes, by whom he was greatly impressed. Years later, Alexander stopped his military conquests to hold talks with philosophers of various religions.

2 – In 15 years of occupation, Alexander never lost a battle

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great's military tactics and strategies are still studied in today's military academies. Since his victory at the age of 18, Alexander earned a reputation for leading his men with impressive speed. After securing his kingdom in Greece, in 334, Alexander crossed into Asia, where he scored a series of victories against the Persians.

3 – Named 70 cities after himself – one city named after his horse

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

Alexander commemorated his conquests by founding dozens of cities under the name of Alexandria. The most famous of these was the one on the Nile, which today is the second largest city in Egypt. Traces of Alexandrian cities can be seen today in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan. In India he founded the city of Bucephala, which he named after his favorite horse, which was badly wounded in battle.

4 – When Alexander met Roksana, it was love at first sight

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

After the spectacular conquest of a place called Sogidan in 327 BC, an impregnable mountain fortress, 28-year-old Alexander was surveying his captives when Roxana, a teenage girl, caught his eye. Later, he organized the traditional wedding ceremony, and a few months after Alexander's death, Roxanne gave birth to their son, Alexander IV.

5 – Alexander smelled good

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

The Lives of the Greek and Roman Nobles, written by Plutarch 400 years after Alexander's death, reports that the legendary leader smelled good, and that his breath and skin were as fragrant as the perfume he wore. Alexander himself called himself "Son of Zeus".

6 – After defeating the Persians, Alexander began to dress like them

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

After 6 years of war with the Persian empire in the 330s AD, Alexander managed to conquer Persepolis, a center of Persian culture. Having realized that the best way to maintain control over the Persians was to act like them. Alexander began to wear ribbons and sashes, the fashion of the Persians, which shocked Macedonian culture when he returned.

7 – The causes of Alexander's death remain one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

In 323, Alexander the Great fell ill after drinking a glass of wine at a party. Two weeks later, the 32-year-old leader died. Since Alexander's father was killed by his own bodyguard, suspicions were raised by those around Alexander about the general Antipater and his son Cassander, who later killed Alexander's wife and son. Some biographers have speculated that Aristotle, who was related to the Antipater family, may have been involved. In modern times, medical experts have speculated that malaria and a lung infection may have caused Alexander to die.

8 – Alexander's body is preserved in a bed of honey

Eight surprising facts about Alexander the Great

According to the Victorian Egyptologist Vallis Budge, Alexander's remains were placed in honey to avoid decomposition. A year or two after Alexander's death, his body was returned to Macedonia and then sent to Egypt by Ptolemy I, one of his former generals. With Alexander's body in hand, Ptolemy aimed to be seen as the successor to his empire./ History Channel/Vox News

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