The author of The Life of Alexander the Great, Plutarch, is one of the most famous philosophers in history that also enriched the writing genre of biography. He is known for his biography of famous Greek men and the various morals and virtues they held called Parallel Lives. Plutarch wrote the biography of Alexander nearly 400 years after the leader passed away. Because of the large gap in between Plutarch and Alxander, Plutarch used various anecdotes from other historians like Callithenes, Aristobulus, Chares, Onesicritus, and Cleitarchus to gather additional information in order to write; therefore, this writing is fairly secondary because he used information from events written by past historians. Plutarch originally wrote this biography
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“It seemed to the Macedonians a very critical time; and some would have persuaded Alexander to give up all thought of retaining the Greecians in subjection by force of arms, and rather to apply himself to win back the gentle means the allegiance of the tribes who were designing revolt, and try the effect of indulgence in arresting the first motions towards a revolution.” (Plutarch, 12) Plutarch explains that the citizens of Macedonia did not want to be ruled by Alexander, but he rejected the ideas previously stated and found this “very critical time” was a time to prove himself and win over the Macedonians, and he did so when he battled in the city of Thebes, and he showed no mercy when he pillaged it. Plutarch wanted these battles to show the power of Alexander, as he often compares him to Julius Caesar for being a great leader, and a calm collected man even though Alexander was not that. Plutarch was biased with Alexander, for he praised him for the choices he had made because he made judgements on Alexander and not the situation. I believe that with his bias Plutarch has a persuasive document with Alexander the Great, which makes me feel as if this writing is credible. Plutarch also showed that he favored Greece and described the Macedonians as barbarians and very vulnerable to other kingdoms and societies, but he does state that the military becomes stronger under
“It seemed to the Macedonians a very critical time; and some would have persuaded Alexander to give up all thought of retaining the Greecians in subjection by force of arms, and rather to apply himself to win back the gentle means the allegiance of the tribes who were designing revolt, and try the effect of indulgence in arresting the first motions towards a revolution.” (Plutarch, 12) Plutarch explains that the citizens of Macedonia did not want to be ruled by Alexander, but he rejected the ideas previously stated and found this “very critical time” was a time to prove himself and win over the Macedonians, and he did so when he battled in the city of Thebes, and he showed no mercy when he pillaged it. Plutarch wanted these battles to show the power of Alexander, as he often compares him to Julius Caesar for being a great leader, and a calm collected man even though Alexander was not that. Plutarch was biased with Alexander, for he praised him for the choices he had made because he made judgements on Alexander and not the situation. I believe that with his bias Plutarch has a persuasive document with Alexander the Great, which makes me feel as if this writing is credible. Plutarch also showed that he favored Greece and described the Macedonians as barbarians and very vulnerable to other kingdoms and societies, but he does state that the military becomes stronger under