It is said that Alexander the Great cried when he saw the vastness of his conquered empire because he realized that there were no new worlds left to conquer, which confronted him with his own mortality.
After dominating vast territories and defeating all his enemies, Alexander found himself more isolated than ever. This brilliant success placed him above all, cut off from the common people, far from his close soldiers who were once companions in his battles. He gradually became aware of having become unreachable and surrounded by greedy courtiers rather than sincere friends. The more Alexander advanced in glory, the more he felt this emptiness: a deep solitude, paradoxically created by his own victories. It was the bitter price the conqueror paid for his exploits, being at the top but deeply alone there.
Alexander the Great clearly becomes aware that he remains, above all, a mere human being. Despite his immense power, exceptional military strength, and strategic intelligence, he suddenly understands that his existence is fragile and limited. Seeing such a gigantic empire makes him realize how small a single man remains in the face of time, fatigue, and death. He comes to grips with his own physical and mental limitations, he who had imagined himself carried by endless energy. This revelation brutally shows him that even heroes and great conquerors are subject to the same biological and natural boundaries as anyone else. For this man used to surpassing all barriers, the realization that there is an insurmountable limit is both frustrating, disturbing, and painful.
Alexander the Great had pushed his conquests as far as India, but his soldiers, exhausted and demotivated, ultimately refused to go any further. This forced decision deeply frustrated him, knowing that he would never reach the eastern ocean that he envisioned as the ultimate boundary of his conquests. He bitterly felt the failure of not being able to fulfill his dream of an empire that would truly dominate the entire world. Looking at his vast territory, the idea of being stuck there, having reached a human limit, seemed unbearable to him and a source of deep regrets.
After achieving victory and great military adventures for years, Alexander suddenly finds himself without new challenges to tackle. Everything that once seemed impossible, he has already accomplished. Reaching the peak of his glory at such a young age, he feels a kind of existential void. Gone are the thrills of fierce battles, the excitement of the unknown, and the desire to surpass his own achievements. Without a clear goal, it becomes difficult to find real motivation. Once all the great victories have been won, what is there left to do? Alexander confronts this heavy nostalgia, this strange feeling of a successful man abruptly deprived of purpose.
Alexandre realizes that his immense empire could disappear as quickly as it appeared. All these victories, these conquests, these accumulated riches, he suddenly understands that nothing is permanent. Powerful kingdoms before him have collapsed in just a few years, or even less. This idea grips him, for he knows that even his power cannot deceive time. Alexandre clearly sees the impermanence of everything for which he has fought; even he, the great conqueror, cannot do anything against the relentless reality of time and men. This feeling deeply unsettles his pride and confidence, as he becomes aware of the real fragility of all human power.
The empire of Alexander the Great extended over nearly 5 million square kilometers, covering a region that stretched from Greece to present-day India, passing through Egypt and Persia.
At just 30 years old, Alexandre had already conquered almost everyone known in his time, illustrating how his rapid ascent left him with few new challenges to face.
Alexander the Great was a great admirer of Achilles, the mythical hero of the Trojan War; he even slept with a copy of the Iliad under his pillow.
Unlike Macedonian tradition, Alexander adopted a policy of cultural integration, encouraging his soldiers to marry women from the conquered peoples in order to ensure the fusion of cultures and the stability of his vast empire.
Alexander particularly admired mythical and historical figures such as Achilles, the hero of the Trojan War, and Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. He sought to surpass these legendary figures in his own achievements, adopting an approach colored by personal ambition, admiration, and sometimes even imitation.
The sudden death of Alexander at the age of 32, without a clear and experienced heir, quickly led to a civil war among his leading generals, known as the Diadochi. They gradually divided the empire into distinct rival kingdoms, thereby ending the imperial unity fostered by Alexander.
At its peak, Alexander's empire stretched from Greece to India, encompassing Persia, Egypt, and a large part of Asia Minor. Its historical influence was immense, leading to the widespread diffusion of Greek culture and giving rise to the Hellenistic period, characterized by a fertile blending of Greek and Eastern civilizations.
Although driven by a desire for glory and conquest, Alexander did not necessarily have a fully defined plan from the outset. Most historians agree that he adapted to circumstances. His strategy relied heavily on his military talent, the exploitation of his opponents' weaknesses, and his ability to inspire his troops, rather than on a clearly defined geographical or political vision.
Historical accounts primarily come from Plutarch and other ancient historians. Although their writings are often considered reliable on many aspects, they remain subject to debate as they are not direct contemporaries of Alexander. They largely rely on stories passed down orally or drawn from now-lost writings.
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