Summary Of Alexander Plutarch

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Alexander the Great is known as the King of Macedonia and conqueror of the Persian Empire. One of the writers of Alexander, Plutarch was ethnically Greek, but a citizen of Rome. The author takes famous Greek characters and compares them to Roman characters in his biographies; he has created the romantic picture of Alexander and used the story of Alexander to exemplify what is good leadership, and he does emphasize certain values that would be consider good qualities found in a leader, and the outcome of the use of such qualities. Being biased towards the Greeks, Plutarch successfully made his readers to believe that Alexander is a perfect model of leader by emphasizing maturity (insight) and ambition (courage) of Alexander, and by distorting his immoral characteristics such as brutality and lack of self-control. Comparing Alexander’s childhood and his later life, Plutarch indicates that Alexander was born with potentials for a fine leader such as keen insight and maturity that beyond his years and develops the latent powers within him throughout the life. …show more content…
The author begins the book with Alexander’s background and childhood; he tells the readers about Alexander’ talents and abilities that were revealed fairly early in his life. For example, Alexander entertains the envoys from the King of Persia “by asking no childish or trivial questions” (Plutarch 235). Also, “while [Alexander] was still a boy his self-restraint showed itself in the fact that, although he was impetuous and violent in other matters, the pleasures of the body had little hold upon him, and he indulged in them with great moderation, while his ambition kept his spirit serious and lofty in advance of his years” (Plutarch 233). Via these phrases, Plutarch demonstrates how mature Alexander is since he was little and inwardly puts baits that a fine child becomes a fine man. In addition, “[Alexander] was not only fond of the theory of medicine, but actually came to the aid of his friends when they were sick, and prescribed for them certain treatments… He was also by nature a lover of learning and a lover of reading” (Plutarch 243). In this context, the author stresses that Alexander was not only bringing up the insight from reading, but also he appeared to have practical abilities since he was young. Another anecdote that is mentioned, which further illustrates Alexander’s maturity, “In the matter of delicacies, too, he himself, at all events, was master of his appetite, so that often, when the rarest fruits or fish were brought to him from the sea-coast, he would distribute them to each of his companions until he was the only one for whom nothing remained.” In succession, Plutarch tells us about twenty-year-old Alexander taking his father’s place after Philip’s assassination. Despite his quite young age, he did an outstanding job not only in ruling Macedonia but also in taking over and capturing other countries. Through the particularly detailed description of the battle of Granicus, Plutarch demonstrates the values of our warrior emperor which is ambition and courage. While some might argue that Alexander does not fit into the standards of a great leader because of his traits such as brutality and lack of self-control; However, Plutarch, glorifying Alexander’s misdeeds with his masterly portrayal skills, justifies the aspects of Alexander and even describes the times Alexander showed mercy to people. After Hephaestion, Alexander’s friend, died from fever, Alexander revealed his

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