Top 10 Alexander The Great Facts

WatchMojo.com
14 Apr 201608:56
EducationalLearning
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TLDRAlexander the Great, one of history's most influential rulers, is the focus of this fascinating list of top 10 facts. Known for his military genius, Alexander conquered Asia before turning 30 and was tutored by the renowned philosopher Aristotle. He had heterochromia iridum, giving him eyes of different colors, and a legendary steed named Bucephalus. Alexander founded numerous cities, including Alexandria, and married Roxana, adopting aspects of Persian culture. Despite rumors of his involvement in his father's assassination, he proved himself a brilliant tactician, never losing a battle and toppling the Persian Empire. His death at 32 was as mysterious as his life, with theories ranging from fever to poisoning. This summary captures the essence of Alexander's remarkable legacy and the intriguing details of his life and conquests.

Takeaways
  • 👁 Alexander the Great had heterochromia iridum, a condition where his two eyes were of different colors.
  • 🐎 His famous horse, Bucephalus, was tamed by Alexander when he was just 12 years old and played a significant role in his conquests.
  • 🏙️ Alexander founded or renamed up to 70 cities during his conquests, often naming them Alexandria after himself.
  • 📚 He was a student of the renowned philosopher Aristotle, who tutored him and influenced his passion for Homer's works.
  • 👑 Alexander married Roxana, a Bactrian noblewoman, and adopted some Persian cultural aspects, signaling his claim to the Persian throne.
  • 🔪 There's speculation that Alexander may have been involved in a plot to assassinate his father, King Philip II of Macedon.
  • 🎓 The Gordian Knot, a complex problem, was famously 'solved' by Alexander by cutting it with his sword, symbolizing his direct approach to challenges.
  • 🏺 Alexander's military prowess led to the downfall of the Persian Empire, despite being outnumbered, through innovative tactics and formations.
  • ⚔️ He was undefeated in battle, showcasing exceptional military strategy and leadership from a young age.
  • 🌍 His conquests extended to India, where he built a causeway to defeat King Porus and claimed coastal territories.
  • 🤔 The cause of Alexander's death at 32 remains a mystery, with theories ranging from fever to poisoning.
Q & A

  • What is the medical condition that Alexander the Great had, which caused his eyes to be of different colors?

    -Alexander the Great had heterochromia iridum, a condition that affects approximately 6 out of 1,000 people, where one iris is a completely different color from the other.

  • What was the name of Alexander the Great's horse, and how did he win it?

    -The horse's name was Bucephalus. Alexander won the horse when he was about 12 years old by making a wager with his father, Philip, who agreed to purchase the animal if Alexander could tame it.

  • In which year did Alexander found the city named after his horse, Bucephalus?

    -Alexander founded the city named after his horse, Bucephalus, in 326 BC.

  • How many cities did Alexander the Great found or rename during his conquests, and what was the common name he gave them?

    -Alexander the Great founded or renamed up to 70 cities during his conquests, and he named almost every one of them Alexandria.

  • Who was Alexander the Great's tutor, and what subject did he develop a passion for under his tutelage?

    -Aristotle was Alexander the Great's tutor. It is believed that Alexander developed his passion for the works of Homer while studying under Aristotle.

  • Who was Roxanna, and what significance did she have in Alexander's life?

    -Roxanna, also known as Roxane, was the daughter of a Bactrian nobleman whom Alexander the Great married despite opposition. She gave birth to a son and influenced Alexander to adopt several aspects of Persian culture.

  • What is the Gordian Knot, and how did Alexander the Great solve it?

    -The Gordian Knot was an intricate knot tied by Gordius, used to secure his ox cart, and was famous for the prophecy that whoever untied it would become the king of Asia. Alexander solved it by cutting the knot in half with his sword.

  • In which battle did Alexander the Great bring down the Persian Empire, and what was the outcome for the Macedonian army?

    -Alexander the Great brought down the Persian Empire in the Battle of Gaugamela, also known as the Battle of Arbela. Despite being outnumbered, the Macedonian army succeeded due to their phalanx formation perfected under Alexander's leadership.

  • Alexander the Great never lost a battle, but what was the cause of his death?

    -The cause of Alexander the Great's death is still a mystery. It is believed that he suddenly died in June 323 BC from a severe fever, possibly after a day of drinking. There are also claims that he may have been poisoned.

  • How did Alexander the Great's conquests affect his personal life, particularly in terms of relationships with his family?

    -Alexander's conquests and growing power strained his relationship with his father, Philip, especially after Philip's marriage to Cleopatra, which put Alexander's claim to the throne in jeopardy. There are suspicions that Alexander and/or his mother Olympias may have been involved in Philip's assassination.

  • What was the famous Macedonian military formation that Alexander the Great's army used to great effect in battle?

    -The Macedonian phalanx was the famous military formation used by Alexander the Great's army. It involved a tight grouping of soldiers carrying shields and spears, making it difficult for the enemy to penetrate.

  • What is the significance of the city of Alexandria founded by Alexander the Great at the mouth of the Nile River?

    -The city of Alexandria, founded in 331 BC, was once the home of Cleopatra and housed the Great Library of Alexandria, making it a significant cultural and intellectual center of the ancient world. It is currently the second-largest city in Egypt.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Alexander the Great: A Conqueror's Fascinating Facts

This paragraph delves into the life and accomplishments of Alexander the Great, one of history's most influential rulers. It covers his heterochromia iridum, which gave him two different colored eyes, his legendary horse Bucephalus, and his tendency to name cities after himself, including the famous Alexandria. The paragraph also mentions his education under Aristotle, his marriage to Roxanna, and the speculation around his father's assassination. Alexander's military genius is highlighted, particularly his use of the phalanx formation and his undefeated status in battle. The narrative concludes with the mysterious circumstances of his death, which remain a subject of debate and speculation.

05:02
🏰 The Legacy and Mysteries of Alexander the Great

The second paragraph continues to explore the enigmatic life of Alexander the Great. It discusses the famous Gordian knot, which Alexander is said to have solved by cutting it with his sword, thus fulfilling a prophecy about the ruler of Asia. The paragraph also describes Alexander's conquests, including his battles with Darius III and the fall of the Persian Empire. It touches upon Alexander's personal vices, such as alcoholism, and his eventual undefeated military record. The narrative of his life concludes with the mystery of his death, which is shrouded in various theories, from illness to poisoning, leaving his legacy with an air of intrigue.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III of Macedon, was a historical military genius who conquered a vast empire stretching from Greece to India. His military tactics, leadership, and influence on culture and politics are central to the video's theme. The script discusses his conquests, his influence on the East, and his mysterious death.
💡Heterochromia Iridum
Heterochromia Iridum is a rare condition where an individual has two different colored eyes. In the video, it is mentioned as a distinguishing feature of Alexander the Great, with one eye being dark and the other blue, which adds to the historical figure's unique characteristics and contributes to his legendary status.
💡Bucephalus
Bucephalus was the trusted warhorse of Alexander the Great. The script highlights the story of how Alexander tamed Bucephalus, which demonstrates his early leadership and connection with animals. Bucephalus' significance is also shown by the fact that Alexander named a city after him, reflecting the horse's role in his conquests.
💡Aristotle
Aristotle was a renowned philosopher and tutor to Alexander the Great. His influence on Alexander is significant as it shaped the young conqueror's intellectual development and passion for literature, particularly Homer's works. Aristotle's role in the video underscores the educational background that contributed to Alexander's strategic and philosophical approach to conquest.
💡Roxanna
Roxanna, also known as Roxane, was a Bactrian noblewoman whom Alexander married. Her marriage to Alexander symbolizes the blending of cultures and the assimilation of Persian customs by the Macedonians. This union is highlighted in the video as an example of Alexander's diplomatic strategy and his acceptance of different cultures.
💡Gordian Knot
The Gordian Knot was a complex knot that, according to prophecy, would be untied by the future ruler of Asia. Alexander's solution to the knot by cutting it with his sword is a metaphor for his direct and innovative approach to problems. The video uses this story to illustrate Alexander's decisiveness and his fulfillment of the prophecy through his conquests.
💡Persian Empire
The Persian Empire was one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world, which Alexander the Great sought to conquer. The video discusses the strategic battles and Alexander's refusal of peace terms, leading to the empire's downfall. The conquest of the Persian Empire is a pivotal moment in Alexander's legacy, showcasing his military prowess.
💡Battle of Gaugamela
The Battle of Gaugamela, also known as the Battle of Arbela, was a significant conflict where Alexander defeated Darius III, leading to the collapse of the Persian Empire. The video emphasizes the Macedonian's innovative phalanx formation and Alexander's leadership, which contributed to their victory despite being outnumbered.
💡Unconquered
Alexander the Great's undefeated military record is a key aspect of his legacy. The video highlights his first victory at 18 and subsequent battles, including those in India, where he consistently demonstrated superior tactics and leadership. His unbeaten status is a testament to his skill and is a central theme in the video's portrayal of his invincibility.
💡Mysterious Death
The sudden and unexplained death of Alexander the Great at the age of 32 is a subject of intrigue and speculation. The video mentions various theories, including fever, poisoning, or natural causes, but concludes that the true cause may never be known. His death adds to the enigma surrounding his life and is a significant part of the video's narrative.
💡Cultural Assimilation
Cultural assimilation refers to the process of a conquered people adopting the customs and practices of their conquerors. In the video, Alexander's marriage to Roxanna and the Macedonian men's adoption of Persian wives are examples of this process. It illustrates Alexander's policy of integration and his aim to blend the cultures of the regions he conquered.
Highlights

Alexander the Great was one of history's most influential rulers, having conquered Asia before his 30th birthday.

He had heterochromia iridum, a condition where one iris is a completely different color from the other, affecting approximately 6 out of 1,000 people.

Alexander's royal steed, Bucephalus, was won by the young prince in a wager with his father, Philip, when he was about 12 years old.

He founded or renamed up to 70 cities during his conquest, most of which were named Alexandria.

Aristotle was Alexander's tutor for three years, influencing his passion for the works of Homer and providing him with an annotated copy of The Iliad.

Alexander married Roxanna, the daughter of a Bactrian nobleman, despite opposition, and adopted aspects of Persian culture through their union.

There are theories suggesting that Alexander may have been involved in a plot to kill his father, Philip, whose assassination occurred in 336 BC.

The famous Gordian knot, which was said to be untied by whoever would become the king of Asia, was famously sliced in half by Alexander with his sword.

Alexander faced Persian king Darius III in three battles, refusing truce terms and ultimately bringing down the Persian Empire.

Despite being outnumbered, Alexander's Macedonian army defeated the Persians due to their perfected phalanx formation under his leadership.

Alexander never lost a battle, displaying bold tactics, military speed, and superior leadership throughout his campaigns.

His conquests extended into India, where he defeated King Porus in an epic battle and built a causeway to conquer the coastal base of Ty.

Alexander's death at the age of 32 was mysterious; theories range from a severe fever to possible poisoning.

The cause of Alexander's death remains a mystery, with natural causes like typhoid fever or malaria also being suggested.

Alexander's legacy includes his military genius, cultural integration, and the many cities and regions that bear his name.

Watchmojo.com lists these and other fascinating facts about Alexander the Great, inviting viewers to subscribe for more top 10 lists.

Transcripts

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Alexander the GreatHistorical ConquestsMilitary GeniusHeterochromia IridumAncient MacedoniaPersian EmpirePhilosophyAristotleRoxannaGordian KnotMysterious Death