Alexander the Great not only conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, but also many nations in Central Asia and parts of ancient northwest India. In ten years of campaigning, he did not lose a single battle. He became the richest man in the world, and was regarded by many as a god.

Despite this, none of his men, indeed, no ancient Macedonian, ever called him ‘the Great.’ So, where did this title come from? What was Greatness when it came to a king? What role might a monk in his cell during the age of Charlemagne might have played in its story? And is it appropriate for us today to still call Alexander, ‘the Great?’

All of these questions, and more, are answered as Malcolm and Frances explore the origin and history of Alexander’s enduring epithet.

Resources

on-line texts for the Alexander Historians:

Arrian

Curtius

Diodorus

Plutarch

Justin

About Malcolm and Frances

Malcolm spends his days with his head in books and his heart in faraway lands, especially ones conquered by Alexander. When he looks at maps of Alexander’s empire, his go-to response remains “Crikey”.

Frances is an academic who specialises in Hellenistic numismatics. She is currently writing a novel about Alexander’s first wife, Roxane, bringing life to the woman who existed in the shadow of a man who was larger than life.

Spearpoint Socials

Facebook

Instagram: @spearpointATG

Threads: @SpearpointATG

X: @SpearpointATG

Malcolm

Instagram: @thesecondachilles

Facebook: @alexander.of.macedon

Frances

Instagram: @futuristichistorian

Email: spearpointatg@gmail.com

Intro + Outro Music

Epic by Hot_Dope (pixabay.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.