THE MAKING OF A CONQUEROR

Alexander was born at Pelia, Macedonia, in 356 B.C.E. His father was King Philip II, and his mother, Olympias. She taught Alexander that the Macedonian kings descended from Hercules, a son of the Greek god Zeus. According to Olympias, Alexander's ancestor was Achilles, the hero of Homer's poem the Iliad.  Being thus conditioned by his parents for conquest and kingly glory, young Alexander had little interest in other pursuits. Asked whether  he would run a race in the Olympic Games, Alexander indicated that he would do so if he ere to run with kings.  His ambition was to perform greater acts than those of his father and to gain glory through accomplishments. 

At age 13, Alexander enjoyed the tutorship of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who helped him develop an interest in philosophy, medicine, and science.  The extent to which Aristotle's philosophical teachings shaped Alexander's way of thinking is a matter of debate.  "It seems safe to say that there was not a lot on which the two might see eye to eyes,' observed Bertrand Russell, a 20th-century philosopher.  "Aristotle's political views were based on the Greek city state which was all but on the way out."  The concept of small city-state government would not have appealed to an ambitious prince wanting to build a great centralized empire.  Alexander must also have been skeptical of the Aristotelian precept of treating non-Greeks as slaves, for he envisioned an empire of a flourishing partnership between the victors and the vanquished.

There is little doubt, however, that Aristotle cultivated Alexander's  interest in reading and learning.  Alexander remained an avid reader throughout his life, having a special passion for Homer's writings.  It is claimed that he learned the  Iliad-all15,693 lines of poetry by heart. 

Education by Aristotle came to an abrupt end in 340 B.C.E. when the 16-year old prince went back to Pelia to rule Macedonia int he absence of his father.  And the crown prince wasted no time distinguishing himself in military exploits.  to the delight of Philip, he quickly put down the rebellious Thracian tribe Maedi, took their chief city by storm, and named the place Alexandroupolis, after himself.

Next time: ON WITH THE CONQUEST

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999