Impact of Alexander the Greats Upbringing on His Conquest and Treatment Towards Women

Abstract

Throughout his journey, Alexander The Great had displayed traits that were unusual of his time, such as the respect of women and his tolerant towards the Persian people. The article focuses on the descriptions of Plutarch and Curtius Rufus on the upbringing of Alexander The Great to examine how his childhood in Macedonia and his education had impacted his character and decisions he made during his conquest. The excessive love and expectation from his mother Olympia had resulted in his respect and reluctance to engage in intimate relationship early on in his life. His path towards conquest was due to his desire to surpass his parents. On the other hand his lack of paternal care and love likely resulted in his homosexual desires. Growing up, Alexander amounted the desire to gain more glory and become greater than his parents, which he did through conquest.