Alexander the Great
by Philip Freeman
Philip Freeman’s "Alexander the Great" explores the life and legacy of one of history's most ambitious figures. The book highlights Alexander's relentless drive, exemplified by his refusal to tolerate defeat and his personal connection with his troops, sharing their hardships and inspiring their loyalty. It argues that Alexander embodies pure human ambition, with both its destructive and admirable aspects, urging readers to appreciate his achievements while acknowledging the widespread impact of his conquests. The narrative also emphasizes the crucial foundation laid by his father, Philip, whose military and diplomatic genius paved the way for Alexander's successes. Ultimately, the work portrays Alexander as a pivotal figure whose Hellenistic cultural influence extended far beyond his lifetime, shaping the ancient world and inspiring future leaders.
14 popular highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most popular and impactful highlights and quotes from Alexander the Great:
“jealous men only tormented themselves.”
“As he explained to his officers and men, the war against Persia could not be finished until the shah, as the Persians called their king, was mat, or finished. The endgame had to be shah mat, a Persian phrase that would evolve in time into checkmate.”
“the universe must have been created by an all-powerful prime mover who, however, took no interest in his handiwork.”
“Alexander refused to drink when his army could not. He took the helmet of precious water and poured it on the ground in full view of his army. To the parched men, for their king to share in their suffering in this way meant more than the water soaking into the sand. They were so heartened, says Arrian, it was as if they had each drunk every drop that he poured on the ground.”
“History has been so fascinated with Alexander the Great that it has overlooked the genius of his father. But by his supreme skill at diplomacy, his mastery of intrigue, and his revolutionary innovations in warfare, Philip laid the foundation for everything his son achieved. Yet”
“Alexander was and is the absolute embodiment of pure human ambition with all its good and evil consequences.”
“Just before they were in range of enemy arrows, Alexander halted his army and rode down the entire Macedonian line encouraging his men. He not only cheered on his generals and officers, but the common soldiers as well. He called these by name and reminded them of their bravery in past battles”
“At last, his companions approached his bedside and implored him to name his successor: To whom do you leave your kingdom? They leaned close to hear his words. With great effort Alexander answered in a whisper: To the strongest. With that, the king of the world closed his eyes and breathed his last.”
“for us to appreciate the nature of Alexander and the world in which he lived, we must set aside our own preconceptions, skepticism, and cynical disbelief to realize that the ancient world was an age of great mystery and magic.”
“Hellenistic culture spread throughout the Roman world from Syria to Britain. Julius Caesar studied Homer and Herodotus as carefully as any Greek scholar and wept when he saw a statue of Alexander on display at a temple in Spain on the shores of the Atlantic.”
“To truly understand Alexander we must realize that—perhaps more than any man in history—he hated to lose. Alexander was and is the absolute embodiment of pure human ambition with all its good and evil consequences. We can condemn the death and destruction he left in his wake as he strode across the world like a colossus, but in the end we can’t help but admire a man who dared such great deeds.”
“No other army in history had made such an extended campaign nor had any previous expedition discovered and recorded so much new information about distant lands and peoples.”
“As Alexander would confess years later, sex and sleep more than anything else reminded him that he was mortal. One”
“contrast between”
