Alexander's character

Alexander's character

1. Plutarch describes him as "impetuous and violent"

2. Clever

   • Tutored by Aristotle
   • When visited by Persian King's ambassadors, "he asked no childish or trivial questions"
   • Plutarch states he thought "seriously and in a lofty way"
   • Tamed Boucephalas, the untameable horse

3. Ambitious

   • When visited by Persian King's ambassadors, they thought his fathers intelligence was nothing "compared to Alexander's eagerness to achieve great things"
   • Gordiam knot predicted whoever untied it would rule Asia, Alexander visited the knot and 'solved it'
   • Wished to be a God
     • Made people perform obeisance
     • Asked to be the Ammon's son

4. Father told Alexander "must seek a kingdom equal to yourself" as "Macedonia is not big enough for you"

5. Brave

   • "Alexander thrusting himself into danger" - Battle of Granicus
   • Carried on fighting at Battle of Granicus even though his sarissa had broke

6. Took 7 months to capture Tyre

   • Serious and determined about campaign
   • Proud and arrogant

7. Godlike nature

   • 'Solved' Gordiam knot
   • Tamed Boucephalas
   • Won Battle of Issus, Granicus and Guagamela even though he was outnumbered

8. Paranoid

   • Killed Philotas as he believed he was part of a conspiracy against him
   • Death of Attalus

9. Alcoholic

   • Plutarch describes him as being "keen on drink"
   • Killed Cleitus at a drunken party
   • Cause of death may have been alcohol poisoning as he heavily drank for two days before his death