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Part 2Yes, you may have noticed that my mindset isn't really geared up for 21st century culture but then, who's is? I lived in the Middle East for many years but that doesn't make me anti-muslim, nor pro-muslim. I'd like to take over the world and shape it to my own way, but i guess i'm not the only one who's thought of that! Guess what i'm saying, being the same age as Alexander when he started out on his quests, is that, like him, i'd like to prove myself (to the Gods perhaps - though i'm a strict agnostic!) and I'd love the opportunity to lead men (and women - got to be PC these days after all) to battle and make the world as i see fit. Which is in my way. THe 20-something way. You know what it was like. What it felt like to have that teenage anger inside you starting to slow but actually knowing what you could do to make it right. Its what i go through daily, and i'm sure Alexander was going through when he took the throne. And i'm sure, if I could have my time, that I'd proably copy his every move.RB

Lots of people dream of what it would have been like to be Alexander and what if the same opportunites presented itself to another, could we do as well as the King?Of course such comparisons could only be made in dreams. His was a different time, different mindset, different culture. He was positioned perfectly to take advantage of all of his strengths, and also all of his weaknesses. But what many fail to realize is his fame came at a terrible price and not just to himself. The physical and mental strain led to death at an early age. For all the glory he attained in life, he also lost his closest friend, murdered one of his friends at table and bitterly tasted betrayal. There were numerous attempts on his life from within his own people. His friends failed to carry out his plans after death, refused him proper burial and denied him divine honors. His family was wiped out, his empire torn apart and for many years Alexander was anything but a hero to anyone outside of Alexandria. It was Philip who the Macedonians remembered fondly, not his son. It was a very long time before people actually realized the scale of what he had accomplished. And an even longer time before people wrote of him favorably outside of a few of his friends.So it wasn't all great to be the Great Alexander. People should think about that more often than they do.

Wow, glad to hear I'm no the only person who has imagined being in Alexander's time, though I never imagined being Alexander himself. Sometimes I also feel a little weird about it because I don't know anyone at my age who has as great an admiration for him as I do now. But then again, as you said, it's probably due to being at a stage in life where you are searching for who you are and what you want to become, which we all go through I suppose. It is also correct that we cannot only think of Alexander's life in an entirely positive way. Afterall, he is the first king in history to have been refered to as "the great" because of the enormous achivements he had and the difficulty he had to endure to reach his goals. It is very hard to imagine that anyone one person in our time can do what he had done since his was a very different world. In fact, most people agree that no one from any time period since ALexander had ever come close to achieving the same amount of success as him. We also have to remember that the "teenager" was not an age group back then, you are either a child or a man/woman. I'm not sure that Alexander even went through his teen years the typical way we think of it, heck, he was leading armies during his teen years! As you said though, it is still possible to have his success during our time period and according to how it is defined by our societes...

xxx Is totally right with the way he was percieved and treated by his so callid countrymen,most I assume was fueled by jelousy,envy and deep down the fear of change that Alexander was in the didst of dringing to the ancient world.Athens and Greeks the main instigators trapped in an idealist puperior attitude and way of life they thought superior and everything else as Barbarian.Yet at the same time the gReeks owe everything to Alexander for the wealth and spread of their culture, Macedonia also very nicely set up in there own way of life and rule over the Mediteranian basin im sure none of them wanted the future and the vision of Alexander and Im sure very glad that Alexander was killed.It bares testament to the divisions and differences the Greeks had by the way they were swallowed up by Rome, Rome didnt have to divide and rule the Greeks the Greeks already had dividing themselves up to a fine art.Had Alexander lived a lot longer and thr Greeks were solid behind him I honestly believe Rome would have become part of the Macedonian empire not the other way round, Alexander was changind and adapting his war machine all the time and im sure his type of military genius would sweep aside the romans.You definately are not alone in your thoughts I feel the same with work,we are worth a lot and merit should mean something,no one could be like Alexander but it would be nice for such a real king and leader to show us a visit, he was sometimes ruthless but I also beliave fair.regards
jas

Greetings,As XXX stated, there is much to consider before dreaming of being an Alexander. Alexander was born "at the right place, at the right time, to the right family"- in other words, he was born into "royalty", with position and wealth (like todays elite who attend the best schools, get the first-best opportunities and have their foot on the CEO ladder due to their education, funds, and family name) and this gave him an early advantage to achieve his highest potential (added to this, he was mentally and physically healthy and "tough"..) If you are not in this same circumstance, you have to explore what you *can* do with what you have.. Due to the manner in which most societies are set up (to ensure the class levels are maintained), the vast majority of young men and women worldwide may not achieve their full potential- we do not live in a meritocracy. But we can choose to live as though we do... Perhaps you could become more involved in changing the political/social systems to create more opportunities, to become active in challenging class structures and not letting those limitations become the scope of dreams. Perhaps people in industrialized nations could focus on seeking out those of high MERIT rather than admiring sports heroes, starving "beauty queens" and vulgar actors, singers et al who are spoon fed to everyone via media? Perhaps become even better informed on political/economic/social global and local issues and then become active in their communities to create change? Just a few thoughts...If you admire Alexander, *what* do you admire? The idea that he got to "do what he wanted", or the character of the man? The qualities of personal nature that set him apart can be achieved by any person of will and determination to stand to their own good name.... The rest- "conquering the world". etc- it is wise for a person to know what mettle of man/woman they are before expecting others to follow ! Too many want to be leaders without taking an honest assessment of themselves or their own qualities and capabilities- or lack thereof (many dream of being an Alexander when in fact they are a Cassander).All this said, each man or woman can attempt to reach their own highest potential and quality and in doing so, strive to be "like Alexander". Best of luck!Regards,
Sikander

The thing about the past is that it is so much more attractive than the present, as we know what happens there, unlike our own present, which is confused, baffling and full of unknowns. It is very tempting ot become wistful for those times, and think "if only I was born then"...but there was only one Alexander in his day and he was very privileged, as well as able. It makes me smile to see time-travel stories where the protagonist goes back in time and becomes special because of their time-traveller status, or the fact they wear glasses, or can make a fire, or whatever. I feel like shouting to the author "DOn't kid yourself - you're a loser now, and you would have been a loser then..." Sometimes I do actually shout this, just for fun, and throw the book across the room. Maybe not accurate - birth does play a large part in our place int he world, and our achievements, but frankly, a lot of it is self-deluding fantasy.

Many young people achieve a great deal in our own day - I am sure there are 20 years old Afghan warlords who wield a great deal of power, scientists in their thirties who discover something marvellous, - but our lives are predictably longer, and the world bigger, so we have more opportunity to achieve what we want to. Conquering the world is, thankfully, less easy than it used to be, although it doesn't stop people trying. Power is illusory - Alexander had a great deal of power, but he was becoming more and more isolated by the end of his life, Plutarch tells us. You have to live your own life, not someone elses..That's hard enough...

Greetings Linda,I absolutely agree. That was what I was trying to say. Those who wish to emulate Alexander might do well to begin by living their lives in a dynamic fashion today.Of course there are times and places and events that compel people forward (war is often referred to as a time to "get promoted" or "get a big break" just for that reason; civil chaos is often seen as an "equalizer" and civil warfare often a time when opportunities abound- at great cost, of course, to far too many people), but those are often events, times and places that, in the moment they are taking place, are *not* seen as the best moments for humankind..We are in agreement, I believe.Regards,
Sikander

Hi SikanderYes, we do agree. I was really replying to the original poster, and reiterating what you said (and having a go at time-travel fiction..), but maybe didn't click the right "reply" link.RegardsLinda

Well actually it is a little abnormal to wish to be like Alexander the Great. For one you would fall under my sword as it is designed to cut down agnostics in favour of the CHristian cause. :)Actually, think about this: If you are not in a position to do what alexander did, then consider what philip did. If you can't acheive what Philip did keep going down the heirachy until you find a position you could execute and that is your place. To better your position think like a king. Your heir what will you leave him, what instructions, what training what wealth have you provided for the heir so that he may continue where you leave and so he and all generations hencforth continue in unbroken lineage. Well, it comforts me, give it a try.