Alexander the Great: Crash Course World History #8

CrashCourse
15 Mar 201211:01
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this engaging episode of Crash Course World History, John Green delves into the life of Alexander the Great, juxtaposing historical ideals of masculinity and heroism with contemporary celebrity culture. Through a dynamic exploration, Green questions the reasons behind our pursuit of fame, drawing parallels between Alexander's conquests and modern-day celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Mike 'The Situation'. The video critically examines different facets of Alexander's greatness, from his military achievements to his enduring cultural impact, while also reflecting on the construction of historical narratives and the selective celebration of 'great' individuals. Through humor and insightful analysis, Green challenges viewers to reconsider what truly constitutes greatness in history and today.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Alexander conquered vast amounts of territory and was undefeated in battle, but wasn't good at building lasting institutions.
  • 😃 His empire broke apart soon after his death, but the cities he founded became hugely important cultural centers.
  • 😊 Greek became the common language of Alexander's empire, enabling communication and commerce over a vast area.
  • 😏 Alexander helped introduce ideas of absolute monarchy to the Greco-Roman world.
  • 😮 Legends and embellishments contributed greatly to Alexander's 'greatness', as he died young before any accounts were written.
  • 😲 Future leaders like Pompey and Napoleon idolized and tried to emulate Alexander.
  • 🤔 'Greatness' often wrongly implies history is made primarily by 'Great Men' like Alexander.
  • 😕 Our obsession with celebrity echoes the obsession with 'Great' figures like Alexander.
  • 🙄 Alexander didn't make history alone - he needed context and followers, like anyone.
  • 😉 We decide who to glorify and remember - Alexander was made 'Great' by those who admired him.
Q & A

  • Who was Alexander the Great's father?

    -Alexander the Great's father was King Philip the 2nd of Macedon.

  • At what age did Alexander tame the horse Bucephalus?

    -Alexander tamed the horse Bucephalus when he was 13 years old.

  • What new type of spear did Alexander's army use?

    -Alexander's army used an extra long spear called the sarissa.

  • What happened to Alexander's empire after he died?

    -After Alexander's death, his empire broke into three Hellenistic Kingdoms ruled by his generals - the Antigonids in Greece/Macedonia, the Ptolemies in Egypt, and the Seleucids in Persia.

  • How did Alexander help spread the use of the Greek language?

    -By conquering much of the known world at the time, Alexander helped spread the use of Greek as a common language.

  • What city named after Alexander became an important center of learning?

    -The city of Alexandria in Egypt, named after Alexander, became an important center of learning in the classical world.

  • Who did Alexander chase across modern day Iraq/Iran?

    -Alexander relentlessly chased the Persian King Darius across modern day Iraq and Iran.

  • What rumor existed about the cause of Alexander's death?

    -Rumors persisted that Alexander died either of alcohol poisoning or assassination by poisoning, as people felt a fever was not a grand enough death.

  • Who invaded Egypt to emulate Alexander?

    -In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt seeking to emulate Alexander the Great's conquests.

  • How did the Romans emulate Alexander?

    -The Roman general Pompey was obsessed with Alexander, even copying his disheveled hair style.

Outlines
00:00
😆 Intro to Alexander the Great and Discussion of 'Greatness'

Introduces Alexander the Great and his accomplishments. Discusses different perspectives on what makes someone historically 'great' - their deeds, their legacy, their legend. Raises issues around gender bias in labeling historical figures as 'great'.

05:05
🌟 Alexander's Conquests and Lack of Empire Building

Details Alexander's military conquests and destruction of the Persian Empire. Notes that he was not as skilled at building administrative institutions to manage his empire, which broke apart soon after his death.

10:07
📈 Alexander's Posthumous Impact and Legacy

Discusses Alexander's long-lasting cultural influence after his death, including spreading Greek language and culture and ideas of absolute monarchy. Notes the impact of cities he founded and trade networks that emerged.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was a king of Macedon who conquered much of the Persian empire. He is one of the most celebrated military leaders and empire builders in history. The video examines different perspectives on why he is considered 'great', including his military accomplishments, his legacy and impact after death, and the legend and myth surrounding him.
💡masculinity
The video introduces the concept of masculinity and masculine ideals of heroism as one lens through which Alexander's greatness can be viewed. It suggests Alexander embodied masculine virtues like courage, ambition, and military prowess which contributed to his legendary status.
💡empire
Alexander built a vast empire spanning Greece, Egypt, Persia and lands as far as the Indus River in India. However, the video argues he was not skilled at political administration or institutional management. His empire broke apart soon after his death.
💡legacy
The video examines Alexander's enduring historical impact and legacy, including spreading Greek language and culture, founding great cities like Alexandria, and setting the stage for later figures like Caesar and Napoleon to emulate him.
💡legend
Alexander became legendary and mythologized over time. Classical histories embellish his life with improbable stories and attempt to fit him into heroic archetypes. His early death helped cement an idealized image.
💡greatness
The video offers different frameworks for assessing Alexander's greatness - through accomplishments, legacy, or legend. It ultimately argues Alexander was made great through conscious admiration and emulation by later historical figures.
💡Napoleon
Napoleon invaded Egypt to emulate his hero Alexander. He was one of many military leaders enamored with Alexander as an archetypal conqueror, helping solidify Alexander's reputation.
💡masculinity
The video suggests Alexander embodied an aggressive, militaristic model of masculinity that is problematic but still often celebrated through figures like him.
💡heroism
Alexander's conquests were driven by a desire for personal glory and heroic status. The video argues this same desire for fame and greatness persists today with celebrities.
💡history
The video challenges traditional historical narratives focused on 'Great Men' and military conquests. It advocates for a more inclusive, multifaceted understanding of history.
Highlights

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Overall the talk presented an exciting vision of how innovation can transform medicine and improve lives.

Transcripts

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