Pericles And Alexander The Great

Alexander the Great is without doubt one of the greatest military leaders of history. Not only did Alexander of Macedon conquer enormous areas of the known world but also he demonstrated dynamic leadership and masterful strategy on a large scale and tactics on the battlefield. During his life, he ruled the largest empire the world had ever seen, which stretched from ancient Greece to India. The son of King Phillip II of Macedon, Alexander was educated by the philosopher Aristotle and first led Macedonian troops at age 18. Many times Alexander was worshipped as a god in some of the countries he ruled. He had a huge impact on world history spreading the seeds of western culture and philosophy across the world and has legends and stories

Pericles (C. 495-429 BC) was a very influential politician and general in Athens. He is said to have brought about a very important time in Athenian history known as ‘The Golden Age of Athens’ where he brought about or placed focus on certain things like art, which gave Athens the reputation as the cultural and educational centre of Ancient Greece, architecture, where he created a project to beautify the city and provide work for Athenians with most of its products like the Parthenon still surviving and giving us an idea of the glory of Athens. He also made valuable contributions to drama, the bringing about of democracy and the establishment of the Greek empire.

Pericles and Constantine were examples of great leaders in the ancient world. Under their rule, changes were made. Both led armies into battles against others. However, they both had a different style of leading and gave different effects on their citizens. Although they are both respected leaders, they affected different aspects of their civilizations. Pericles greatly improved the arts and literature of Athens, whereas Constantine enacted administrative, financial, social and military reforms to the Roman Empire, as well as decreed tolerance for Christianity within the empire. However, among all the leaders of the Archaic Period,

Throughout the history of humanity, there have been countless leaders, conquerors, kings, or people of note. They are all noteworthy because of their achievements, or maybe their lack of achievements in a time where history was being made. These men and women are remembered because they accomplished something worth remembering. One of the most polarizing characters of the ancient world is Alexander of Macedonia, better known as simply Alexander the Great. With a name like that, one knows that Alexander must have done something during his lifetime that would still be remembered centuries later. What made Alexander so extraordinary is just how driven he was, how he conquered most of the known world by the time he was thirty-two. Alexander wanted to seize the Macedonian throne, unite many people under one rule, exact revenge on Persia, and to take more land for his nation. He may not have achieved all his goals before his untimely death, but he accomplished so much that his legacy has lived on for thousands of years, and will continue to live on for thousands more.

At a time of war, Pericles’s characteristics of wisdom, courage, and self-control were able to maintain order in Athens. His wisdom throughout his reign was mostly displayed by his talent of

The origin of the book Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy is from Donald Kagan and it was written in 1991 by an American historian and it is a secondary source. The purpose of the book is to paint a clearer picture of Pericles by using various sources of ancient historians. The value of this book is that getting to see a good coalition of the perspectives of ancient historians mixed together to get more reliable information combined with the perspective of the modern era. Kagan’s qualifications for

Alexander is also smart with his ways of making deals. When he made his deal with the other Greeks, he told Them that they needed to give him soldiers, ships, and supplies. He was going to get what he wanted, and the Greeks were going to get what they wanted. By gaining people’s trust and having mercy on his enemies, Alexander The Great was continuing to improve his society's PEGS. Political; Alexander ruled with control and kindness.

He was born in 494 BC to parents Agariste and Xanthippus (Azoulay 2014, 16). His father was a general and rising politician (Burn 1949, 25) and his mother, having come from an affluent family, was the niece of Kleisthenes (Azoulay 2014, 16). As speech was playing an increasingly important role in democracy, Pericles’ education focused primarily on effective language skills, which he excelled in (Azoulay 2014, 21). Pericles came to light in 463 BC, when a general named Cimon, who held great influence over the city, was repeatedly elected as strategos. (Azoulay 2014, 25).

Pericles’ was a powerful general, orator, patron of arts and democratic politician for the state of Athens between 495-429 B.C.E. (History.com). Pericles’ was born into power for his father was Xanthippus one hero from the Persian war and his mother was part of the Alcmaeonidae family who were very culturally powerful in Athens (History.com). When Pericles’ came into power he developed strategies and polices that set the stage for the Peloponnesian War (History.com). Following the first battles of the war Pericles’ gave a speech to honor those fallen and for those who will continue to fight the war. He spoke many words about the state of Athens and why it is such a great place to be.

Pericles was born in Athens to in an aristocratic family sometime around 493BC (Lewis). His father, Xanthippus, was a military leader in the battle of Mycale in 479BC who defeated the last vestiges of Xerxes’ fleet (Halsall). Pericles’ mother was Agariste was a member of the Alcmaeonid family (Lewis). Given that he was of aristocratic birth Pericles received his education from some of the greatest minds in Greece (Lewis). He was educated musically by Damon and philosophically by Zenon of Elea and Anaxagoras (Pericles (c. 495-429)). His companions were great thinkers such as Sophocles, Herodotus, and Socrates (Pericles (c. 495-429)). One of the greatest influences in his life is said to be Anaxagoras under whose tutelage he learned how to

A significant influence on modern society was from a great leader named Alexander of Macedon. The adroit leader had an impressive undefeated record. Alexander the Great was known as being one of the most accomplished leaders in Ancient Civilizations. However, who was responsible for influencing this prominent ancient figure? Some historians say that he was deeply influenced by his parents. Alexander’s mother gave him his thirst for victory and was a major supporter of Alexander’s campaign (http://www.polarimagazine.com/features/historical-influence-alexander-great). His father, Philip of Macedon was a brilliant tactician taught him how to become a good warrior (http://www.polarimagazine.com/features/historical-influence-alexander-great). However, several historians argue that Aristotle, Alexander the Great’s tutor and teacher, was a major influence on Alexander the Great’s success (https://www.livescience.com/39997-alexander-the-great.html). Aristotle taught Alexander art, strategism, logic, science, nature, and how to handle difficult political situations. Without this knowledge, Alexander would not have been the greatest conqueror of Ancient Civilizations. Although Alexander of Macedon had great militaristic skill, nevertheless, he would not have been the renowned conqueror he was if not for Aristotle and his revolutionary teachings.

In 356 B.C.E., a young boy was born who would one day rule almost the entire known world. His name was Alexander III, eventually Alexander the Great. His father was Philip II, king of Macedonia. Philip himself had already transformed Macedonia into a military might to be reckoned with, before Philip came into power, a historian by the name of Arrian of Nicomedia said “the Macedonians were wandering about without resources, many of them clothed in sheepskins and pasturing small flocks in the mountains, defending them with difficulty against the Illyrians, Triballians and neighboring Thracians". They were poor, had no means to resources, and no strong army. But after many years, Philip came into power, and through his diplomacy with other nations and by recruiting and training a new army took a city called Amphipolis. This cities biggest asset was its gold mines. Thus began the building of a stronger, richer, and united country led with a capable leader. By the time Alexander was a young boy, his father had already promised him the throne of a well-established country. Alexander was bright, he was trained in the art of war by his father, and in education his father hired a personal tutor for Alexander. Aristotle. The classical world’s most brilliant mind. He taught young Alexander, philosophy, science, medicine, morals, religion, and logic. But the biggest thing he taught him was thinking on his feet, which would greatly come in

Described by Thucydides as “the foremost Athenian and most able in speech or action [at the time of the Peloponnesian War,]” Pericles ushered in what was widely known as the “Golden Age of Athens” (31). He often exercised great prudence in his decision making and was widely admired by the Greek people. The man stressed justice, the worth of the Empire, and cleaving one’s personal interests to those of the city. Through his eloquent speeches and definitive actions he captured both the hearts of the Athenians and territory as a premier military commander. The people readily accepted his authority, and became accustomed to it. This would only lead to problems down the road, however, as other rulers took up the mantle of Athens. They would only be but a gilded echo of Pericles, unable and unwilling to follow his path. Therefore, though Pericles did not intentionally set Athens up to fail, because of the oratorical skill, leadership style, and character he possessed, success could only be truly achieved by and through him.

The Greek Empire had a lot of great leaders that had a huge impact on their empire. Alexander the Great for an example. He is the most famous Greek person ever. His short life was full of adventures. Born in Pella, Macedonia, in 356 BC, he became king at the age of 20. After he united the Greek city-states, he launched an expedition to the East and managed to conquer the Persian Empire and extend the borders of his kingdom till India. He died a month before he turned 33, beloved as a god while he was alive and celebrated as a legend after his death. Therefore, another leader would be Socrates the Enigmatic Philosopher. Socrates is considered today as the founder of Western philosophy. His notions of ethics, virtue and truth passed through centuries. Although we have no manuscripts of Socrates himself, his life and ideology are presented in the works of Plato and Xenophon, his direct students, while some accounts are also found in Aristotle and Aristophanes. Socrates believed that the real truth is hidden in every man and all he has to do is to discover it. Because of his philosophical teachings, he was accused of corrupting the youth and was sentenced to death by the Athenian politicians. He died in prison drinking poison. Alexander ruled an expansive empire. Nevertheless, his ambitions were not satisfied. While fighting the Persians, Alexander conquered Egypt and founded a city at the mouth of the Nile River. This city, which he named Alexandria after himself, became a

“Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war” President Donald Trump once said. Pericles saw that the Athenians were losing a battle when it comes to accomplishments in the arts, citizenship, and democracy. When he gained power, he led Athens into a Golden Age. A Golden Age is when high level of accomplishments is reached in a society. Pericles help create Athenian Golden Age because of how he brought brought the idea of citizenship, the arts reaching it’s highest peak, and created the basic principles of democracy that we use today.