Running head: ALEXANDER’S MOTIVES 2 The life of Alexander the Great, although short-lived, was remarkably eventful. Commanding an unstoppable cavalry and conquering most of the known world, the young king earned enough glory, wealth, and fame to be remembered through the ages. The result of his ambition “…changed the horizons of the Greek world” (Lane Fox, 2006, p. 236). To fully understand Alexander’s motives, one must be familiar with his upbringing and his beliefs. Alexander, believing he was a god, aimed to conquer the Persian empire with the goal of exceeding his father’s achievements and living up to the standards of his idol, Achilles. First and foremost, it must be understood that Alexander and his father shared a competitive …show more content…
According to the work of Lane Fox (2006, p. 235, para. 1), rivalry with Homeric heroes was almost a common practice for warlords in Macedonian society. Growing up with the teachings of Aristotle, Alexander became familiar at a young age with Homer’s Iliad. In comparing himself to Achilles, Alexander drew great motivation for his conquests in an effort to outdo the Greek warrior. “Like a very special hero, Alexander also came to believe that he was the begotten child of a god” (Lane Fox, 2006, p. 235). Although his relationship with his father contributed to his motivations, it was equally “[t]he role-model of a hero and the parentage of a god [that] supported Alexanders innate energy and boundless ambition” (Lane Fox, 2006, p. 235). Alexander’s success, although primarily achieved through motivation, was additionally influenced by his self image, and the confidence it provided. As explained by Lane Fox, Alexander’s connections to the character’s in the early works of Homer encouraged his endless need to succeed. (2006, p. 235, para. 3). Perhaps without his idolization of Achilles, Alexander would not have been as great as he is perceived to