I assume that the question "Why did Alexander cry?" is meant to elicit the answer "He wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer" which is a sort of modern paraphrase of Plutarch.
Plutarch who was more about writing a dramatic story rather than strictly sticking to the facts. Like Arrian. I take less of a grain of salt from Arrians work than I do with Plutarch. If you want to know something about Alexander and you're concerned about facts Arrian should be your starting point.
@@nicholashagy9493 Not to mention that Plutarch was writing about 400 years after Alexander's death, so yes you are absolutely right, it's definitely reasonable to assume that there is poetic licence going on here. The quote is pretty well known, though, so is almost certainly the source of the Google question.
@@ancientstristan Ah yes, Arrian very rarely made any sort of direct quote attributed to anyone in his work because again if he couldnt prove it with facts he left them out. The argument with Cleitus that you are referring to. With Arrian he describes the tense scene he talks about them getting into a terrible argument but he doesnt quote much of it. In fact the only quote im aware he makes is attributed to essentially Cleitus' last words which is what drove Alexander even into more of a rage causing his poor drunken reaction.
The modern quote which most people know from Die Hard (though it does predate the movie) isn't a paraphrasing of Plutarch, but pretty much the exact opposite of what Plutarch actually wrote, in which Alexander says "Have I not good cause to weep, that being as there are an infinite number of worlds, I am not yet the lord of one?". As others have mentioned, Plutarch wrote that centuries later and was more concerned with dramatization and moralizing than in recounting history.
I really enjoy the Ancients! Tristan has such a nice energy and I love his voice. The guests are always wonderful people with inspiring stories. Thanks for all the good things you bring us :)
Just my worthless opinion but I think the, "Why did Alexander the Great cry?" question is in reference to the story that "Alexander wept, seeing as he had no more worlds to conquer."
".. do not forget Greece, Alexander ..It was for her sake that you launched your whole expedition, to add Asia to Greece .." Arrian [Anabasis of Alexander 4.11.7] «.. τῆς Ἑλλάδος μεμνῆσθαί σε ἀξιῶ, ὦ Αλέξανδρε ἧς ἕνεκα ὁ πᾶς στόλος σοι ἐγένετο, προσθεῖναι τὴν Ἀσίαν τῇ Ἑλλάδι ..» Ἀρριανός [Ἀλεξάνδρου Ἀνάβασις 4.11.7]
"We must also remember that Philip and Alexander were Greeks, descended from Heracles, they wished to be recognized by Greeks as benefactors of the Greeks, even as Heracles had been" N G L Hammond (1989), 'Alexander the Great' p. 257 "As members of the Greek race and speakers of the Greek language, the Macedonians shared the ability to initiate ideas and create political forms" N G L Hammond (1992), 'The Miracle that was Macedonia', p. 206
I had assumed he’s called “the Great” because he conquered Persia, and was portrayed therefore as a sort of successor to Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great. Basically, putting him on a level with the Persian Great Kings to legitimize his rule. (Mind you, I’m no expert on Alexander or the Persian Empire LOL I’m just reading Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones and extrapolating a bit 🤷🏻♀️)
"It should be noted that there is NO CONNECTION between the ancient Macedonians of the time of Alexander the Great who were related to other Greek [Hellenic] tribes, and the modern so called "Macedonians" of today [of the Former Yugoslav Rep..of north Macedonia]who are of Slavic origin and related to the Bulgarians" [David H Levinson, Anthropologist, Encyclopaedia of World Cultures, p. 239]
Why did Alexander cry? I hate to have to point this out, but you missed the reference in the question. The old saying is that when Alexander conquered some place, he looked across the length and breadth of his empire and wept, for he had no more worlds to conquer. The reason he cried is because he had nothing left to conquer. As you pointed out, this wasn't true, but that is where the question comes from.
I am not sure if Plutarch said anything about Alexander hair colour (as far I know he commented only that Alexander was fair skinned). As far I know, Aelian was the one who noted Alexander was blond.
Ah yes, a time where almost everything is mythological propaganda is definitely a period of utter truth. Let me guess, you think the dead Jew is still alive too?
@@norbitcleaverhook5040 Not when it’s a fact. This guy also thought the city of Troy was pure “fiction”. Until I pointed out to him that excavations in Hisarlik actually have proven Troy is real. Face it: Some of us are just smarter than their “experts” even if you Zoomers are ignorant as heck.
It's fascinating that one of the Alexandrias he founded, Alexandria Eschate was still around and held some Greek culture into the 1st Century BCE. They had diplomatic ties to the Han Empire in China.
There is a site known as Umm Qais (or Gadara), located in modern-day Jordan. Umm Qais was originally a Greco-Roman city founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. The city flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods and was known for its cultural significance and architectural marvels, including statues of dolphins among other artifacts and structures. I thought that was pretty interesting. Saw it on RU-vid once.
In Afghanistan, the ancient city of Ai Khanum (also known as Alexandria on the Oxus) was founded by Alexander the Great around 330 bce it was an important Hellenistic city that showcased Greek architectural and cultural influences. Worth googling
29:00 almost every single person from history was a monster. They are remembered because they changed something, and its very rare that change came without blood.
“Was Alexander a god?” I’d say yes… with a VERY big asterisk LOL yes, he was mortal. BUT his mother claimed that he was the son of Zeus, which would make him at least partly divine. And Egyptians viewed Pharaoh as divine, and he was a Pharaoh, which would again make him a god. I mean, obviously, he wasn’t ACTUALLY a god, but a strong argument could be made that he was considered to be at least partly divine
@@javilorenzana The people you mentioned never were poewerful because they never sought power. Their ideas might be powerful and last long after they're gone, but they themselves weren't. They're influential which is a different thing.
He certainly made a mark... He encountered the people who wouldn't be conquered.... Afghanistan is the same today as it was then., Every invader has been sent home in 😭 tears and short many soldiers....☠️
I think he keeps his beliefs out of the matter well enough. I always find it surprising educated people can believe that a heretical Jewish cult leader, who didn’t know why to wash hands or when figs are in season, is god.
