Examples Of Plutarch's Vision Of Alexander The Great

Plutarch’s Vision of Alexander the Great

Ivan, Kish

Plutarch lived during the first Century C.E and is one of the most celebrated biographers in history as he wrote about many historical figures both Greek and Roman as he was a descendent of both heritages. His style of biography involved using anecdotes and personal stories to present to his audience how the figure he is writing about should be viewed. This can be seen when he writes about Alexander the Great and portrays him as the perfect leader not through his military victories, but through predestined greatness and how he carried himself in daily life. Plutarch’s use of anecdotes provides a persuasive argument on why he believes Alexander is a truly model leader. Plutarch's writing

In the beginning chapters of the text it is described that Alexander was to be born early on the sixth day of the month. Plutarch writes, “...and on this day the temple of Ephesian Artemis was burnt.”( Plutarch, Plutarch’s Lives Vol. VII, pg 231). The fire was eventually put out, however according to Plutarch the one who put out the fire had this to say about the burning of the temple of Artemis, “ He said… it was no wonder that the temple of Artemis was burned down, since the goddess was busy bringing Alexander into the world.”(Plutarch, The Life of Alexander, pg 231). Plutarch deciding to include these passages clearly demonstrates how he views Alexander as a predestined leader. The fact that he included a quote stating that a god had to bring Alexander into this world shows that people believed that Alexander was favored by the gods. While that might not mean much to a modern audience, to be favored by the gods during Classical Greece was to be marked for immeasurable success and presenting this to his audience enforces the unimaginable figure that was Alexander. The burning of the temple had two interpretations however. According to Plutarch, “...all the Magi who were at Ephesus, looking upon the temple’s disaster as a sign of further disaster,...a great

When Alexander was still in adolescence his father Philip had bought a horse named Bucephalus. However neither Philip nor his male friends could not achieve the feat of mounting and taming the horse. Philip, being frustrated, ordered the horse to be led away. Alexander , who was twelve years old at the time, figured he could tame the horse even though his father and the other adults could not. According to Plutarch Alexander had this to say “‘What a horse they are losing, because, for lack of skill and courage, they cannot manage him !’”(Plutarch, Plutarch’s Lives Vol. VII, pg 237). Naturally his father and company played off this comment but were astonished to see that Alexander had managed to tame the wild beast. This led Philip to cry out, “‘My son, seek out a kingdom equal to thyself; Macedonia has not room for thee.’”(Plutarch, Plutarch’s Lives Vol. VII, pg 239). Plutarch effectively attaches great leadership qualities to Alexander through this tale from his childhood. He shows that Alexander has always been ambitious since for a boy to think he could accomplish something his father and other adults cannot is undoubtedly ambitious which is a very strong quality for a leader to have. Given Alexander was ambitious from boyhood, Plutarch is implying that this trait grew with him into great stature solidifying an excellent