Alexander the great - Essay Example

As these anecdotes were around for a long time now and as Alexander even though historical, flourished better as a legend, leaving all of them out would have made the narration curt and dry. But a highly focussed decision maker like Alexander being portrayed as soothsayer dependent might not go well with the historical facts and figures. It is also mentioned by many that an ‘uncommon viewpoint’ is provided for the actions of the Greek poleis and the responses of King Philip. While writing about a king who had enormous effect on his subjects who looked at him for guidance, unintended exaggeration creeps in and that is nothing extraordinary.

Green’s showing the step-by-step conviction that Philip was a god himself, is the psychological assurance of an adoring child to whom the father could do anything. But it is difficult to find precedents for Green’s argument, because we do not come across any other writing that says that Alexander was so impressionable. Another point that is difficult to agree with Green is that Alexander became more and more impervious to the needs of the people under him. History books say that he discarded ideas of further pressing forward in India because his soldiers were unhappy to go further.

They had left their land long ago and wanted to return and he agreed. It is impossible to agree with Green that Alexander was evolving into a hard-headed dictator. The legends show that Alexander appreciated the heroism of Indian king, appreciated Indian philosophy and looked after his soldiers to the best of his ability. He always discussed matters of importance and mourned the death of his close friend for months and he had been kind to not only his people, but also to the vanquished. Green does not rely much on facts and real research and instead, relies on unconfirmed material.

“Nevertheless, few have been as free as Green in accepting uncorroborated slander as fact….it should not be a book to be introduced students to