Alexander the Great

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the short life of Alexander the Great, one of the greatest military leaders in world history. The paper describes his personality traits and outlines the role played by wine drinking in that society. Alexander the Great is portrayed as a strong leader; however, it is apparent in this paper that he suffered from alcohol abuse. The paper surmises that this vice led to his untimely death.

From the Paper:

"As one of the greatest military leaders in world history, Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.E.) possessed many high qualities associated with his personality, such as his ability to inspire men to follow him into hostile, unknown regions beyond the borders of civilization as they knew it. He also inspired his troops with his reckless disregard for his own safety, often plunging into the enemy at the head of his men and sharing the danger of the common soldier. So intent was Alexander on conquering distant lands that he rejected advice to delay his departure from Macedonia until he had married and fathered an heir in order to forestall instability in case of his death on the battlefield. He further alarmed his principle adviser by giving away virtually all of his land and property in order to strengthen his army. However, his "reckless disregard" for his own personal safety may have played a major role in his association with drinking as outlined in Plutarch's Greek Lives which has been identified as a cause for his premature death."

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