Both points-of-view may be absolutely correct, but neither really addresses the issue of whether or not Alexander was truly great.
Perhaps the best way to evaluate Alexander's greatness is to look at the lasting effects that he had on civilization.
First and foremost, Alexander conquered the known world. "Before Alexander world civilization had been dominated by eastern cultures - Persians, Egyptians, and Babylonians. Alexander shifted the spotlight once and for all. From now on the western societies of the Romans and the Greeks would take over the torch." Alexander used the gold reserves of conquered Persia to build new cities and ports, which he used to spread the Greek civilization around the world. In fact, "the economic system that began to take shape after Alexander's reign remained virtually unchanged until the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th century." While the Greeks may have found Alexander's successes great, not all of the people that he conquered welcomed him as warmly as the Egyptians.
A person's answer to whether or not Alexander was indeed great may have more to do with their place in the modern world than with any personal attribute of Alexander the Great. After all, history is generally written by the victorious. However, even those that are unhappy with the modern world and with the fact that Alexander began the concept of western domination of the civilized world, may agree that Alexander was great. It is impossible to look at the modern world and civilization today without seeing Alexander's influence. He may not have been a good man. He may have been a megalomaniac, as some critics allege. Furthermore, he may have been ruthlessly evil, as others maintain. However, there can be little doubt that Alexander the Great was, indeed, great.
Alexander the Great [online]. 1999. Florida: Wikipedia;...
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