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"The level of Alexanders intelligence should in my opinion be inferred from his actions and they're consequences..." is Alexander a special case? Or do you feel that everyones intelligence should be inferred from they're actions and the consequences of those actions? No, Alexander is not ...

I don't disagree that he was educated, though I'd personally drop the "highly". I disagree that he was particularly intelligent. This based on the numerous occasions during his life when he showed poor judgment. The level of Alexander's intelligence should in my opinion be inferred from h...

Precisely. If we grant that Alexander was a highly educated and intelligent person which none of us dispute... Not quite none of us. I think you would need to justify that comment. ATB I don't disagree that he was educated, though I'd personally drop the "highly". I disagree that he was p...

Nikas wrote:Precisely. If we grant that Alexander was a highly educated and intelligent person which none of us dispute...

Not quite none of us.

And a little jab for the accursed...yes, a Macedonian army was defeated (without Alexander at the helm). Sorry, couldn't help it ;) That was a jab? Yes, I'm aware of the Macedonian defeats. It's not fair to Alexander to demean him based on the collapse of his kingdom. And what a massive kingdom it ...

No, it isn't a straight answer, or to be precise, it isn't a specific answer. Spitamenes asked you why, if Alexander was incompetent, he was allowed to become king. Your generalised answer was - lots of incompetent people become rulers. True. But I asked you specifically why men like Parmenion and ...

I'm sorry, Accursed, but that answer is smug and superior. You are saying that everyone else on this site, except you who have the intelligence and wisdom not to be blinded by Alexander's glamour, is a naive fan worshipper who is oblivious to Alexander's faults. This is not true. There are many int...

What I *thought* you were arguing was that Alexander doesn't deserve credit for conquering the known world, simply because Philip had laid the groundwork - that would have been disingenuous. I see now that you are arguing that Alexander was actually not very good and only succeeded because of what ...

Fair enough, if that's what you think (as you clearly do). Obviously I don't share your view - but actually, I had sort of got the impression that you were arguing something else. What I *thought* you were arguing was that Alexander doesn't deserve credit for conquering the known world, simply beca...

No, you're just side-stepping the question here. No one has foresight. The Macedonians chose Alexander because in their judgement, he was the best candidate to continue Philip's policies and he had the best chance of maintaining stability in the kingdom. Macedonian kingship was an active, not a pas...

Incompetent people regularly come to power through deception. They decieve the people into believing they will be the good of the nation. but in Alexanders case, if we are to go with what you say, he was completely incompetant of making any kind of rational or decent decision. So how would he be ab...

As for the question, I have to say, I don't really think I have any obligation to justify my participation here. And I think it would be a good thing if you and bessusww, who asked the same question recently, would think about what it means that you ask this question. I don't believe for one moment...

Accursed, If Alexander was as incompetant as you say he was, why would he be allowed to come to power in the first place? When Philip died, why didn't someone stand up and claim Kingship for themselves and then fight for it? Why didnt the Generals of Philip put a stop to Alexander before he gained ...

Accursed, I have to ask - you have such a low opinion of Alexander, why are you even interested in him? If you'll forgive me, some of your comments sound like sour grapes for a young man's success. :D I forgive you. As for the question, I have to say, I don't really think I have any obligation to j...

That isn't "another way of putting" what I was saying, at all. In no way was I insinuating that Alexander's fame was coincidental - I was commenting on that fact that Alexander's fame eclipsed Philip's fame after his death for various reasons, but in no way at all am I suggesting that Ale...