Alexander the Great

Alexander III of Macedon, popularly known to history as Alexander the Great, was an Ancient Greek king (basileus) of Macedon. Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon to the throne in 336 BC, and died in Babylon in 323 BC at the age of 32.

Philip had, after lengthy campaigns and diplomatic manoeuvres, managed to bring most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian hegemony, in the League of Corinth. In addition to a strong, enlarged kingdom, Alexander also inherited his father's position of Captain-General of Greece and plans to invade Asia Minor, as part of the Greeks' long-running feud with the Achaemenid EmpirePersia. His youth and apparent inexperience prompted many of the southern Greek, and neighboring tribal states to renounce Macedonian hegemony, but with prompt action and a demonstration of force, Alexander was able to prevent rebellion amongst the Greeks. Alexander then proceeded to launch a short but successful campaign against Macedon's northern neighbors to secure his frontiers all the way north to the Danube. However, whilst he was absent, Athens and Thebes revolted. Alexander crushed this revolt, securing peace in Greece, and he was finally able to turn his attention towards the east and the Persians. In a series of campaigns lasting 10 years, Alexander's armies repeatedly defeated the Persians in battle, in the process overthrowing the Persian king Darius III, and conquering the entirety of the Persian Empire. Alexander then, following his desire to reach the 'ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea', invaded India, but was eventually forced to turn back by the near-mutiny of his troops.

Alexander died in 323 BC aged just 32, probably weakened by twelve years of constant military campaigning and by his prolonged mourning for his life-long friend Hephaestion. There have been many suggestions as to the cause of his death; poisoning, malaria, typhoid fever, viral encephalitis, or the consequences of alcoholism, to name a few. Alexander married twice, (to Roxana of Bactria and Stateira of Persia), yet he had no legitimate heir at the time of his death. Although his son Alexander IV was accepted as king by Alexander's generals, it was in name only. Instead, his generals ('The Successors' or Diadochi) carved up the Empire between themselves, triggering forty years of internecine conflict. Modern historians hold the Classical Era to have ended with the death of Alexander, and the 'Hellenistic period' which followed it was dominated, at least initially, by the Successor states which eventually emerged from this conflict. The Hellenistic culture which developed during this period featured a combination of Greek, Middle Eastern and Indian culture.

Alexander remains one of the most well-known figures of Antiquity. He was one of the most successful military commanders in history, and is usually considered that he was undefeated in battle. Alexander's material legacy lasted 300 years, and defined a era in European history. However, his cultural influence has proved even more enduring. Alexander became the yardstick by which Ancient generals, and many subsequent commanders, measured themselves. Alexander's exploits very quickly became legendary, and he features prominently in the history and myth of both Greek and non-Greek cultures. The life of Alexander inspired its own literary tradition, the Alexander Romance, in which he appeared as a legendary hero in the tradition of Achilles.

Here is an interesting anecdote from the final stages of his life which every one of us needs to learn and practice it rather than conveniently forgetting it.

There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the Greek king. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home.

On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed.

With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu.

But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland.

So, The mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears flowing down
their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes. "My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin."

After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury.

The king felt exhausted after saying this.

He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin”
The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes.
But no one dare bring the question to their lips.

Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart.
"O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.”

Lessons to learn from the 3 wishes of King Alexander...

Lesson 1

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save
a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

Lesson 2

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

Lesson 3

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world."

With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last. . . . .breath.

The Moral of the Story
Never take some one for granted, Hold every person Close to your Heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones." Remember this always in life.

Sent by Partha
Yes, very true.But how many realize it.
We are witnessing the spectacle of two greedy brothers like the cats in the fable, quarrelling over sharing the spoils of what they have looted from the Indian people and we are seeing how the monkey, this time the GOI, lead by Murli Deora, making a fool of them