How Aristotle Influenced Alexander the

Greats Education
History 134
Janae Bardell
10-12-14

Alexander the Great is said to have been a legendary leader, with many rulers mimicking
his strategies and attempting to walk in his footsteps, so to speak. Alexander is known for his
large empire and his victories in battle, although he died at the young age of thirty-two. Before
Alexander was put into any sort of leadership position, he had to become educated. Alexanders
father, Philip II of Macedon, chose to put him under Aristotles tutelage. With Aristotle as his
tutor, Alexander learned about many aspects of life, these of which he carried with him for all of
his life.
For Aristotle to be able to tutor Alexander, he had to have had an exceptional education
himself. Aristotle studied at Platos academy for twenty years of his younger life (1), and there he
excelled in academics, proving his worth. In Aristotles own studies, he chose to study the basics
of life, and so could also be considered an early scientist as well as a philosopher. Aristotle
studied biology and attempted to classify animals, as well as philosophy, trying to figure out a
universal process of reasoning. He taught these subjects along with others (like politics or art)
to his students, including Alexander.
At the age of thirteen, Alexander was sent to Mieza along with a few companions to learn
under Aristotle. For at least the three years following, Alexander learned of politics, literature,
art, and more. Alexanders education was greatly influenced by Greek culture (Aristotle being
Greek), which in turn influenced his beliefs. Because of Aristotle, Alexander was not a pagan and
believed in a god.(2) Alexander respected monotheistic cultures, as can be seen when he chose
not to destroy Jerusalem. Alexander also had a respect for Greek literature, such as the Iliad.
Alexander had such a love for the Iliad that he carried a shortened version with him while
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in battle. It is hard to say how much of his education was tainted by Greek culture, but because
he had such a close relationship with Aristotle, it is safe to say that many of his beliefs were
grounded in Greek culture.
Alexander as king led his empire militarily and politically. He unified his states with the
Greek language, but also acknowledged the differences in cultures. When Alexander went to
battle, he treated those he defeated with kindness rather than more brutality. Alexander never
forced the Greek culture upon subjugated states, but introduced it in the same fashion that
Aristotle introduced ideas to his students.(3) Theres no doubting Alexanders ability to be
aggressive, but Alexander went about the conquering of states in a manner that could be
considered more reasonable than that of rulers before him.
When compared to his father, Philip II, it can easily be seen how Alexander was
influenced by Aristotle and how he ruled differently because of it. Philip II more often used
marriages, treaties, and leagues to place Greeks under his control, whereas Alexander easily
united his states by introducing the Greek culture, but never forcing it. Alexander founded more
than thirty cities under his name (4), where he was able to influence the people there and offer to
them the Greek culture. Not only did he rule his foreign subjects in a reasonable manner, but he
was also kind to those at home. He wasnt afraid for his soldiers to be put in fatal situations, but
if a soldier fell, he honored them and their family by giving the family immunity to taxation or
public service. These acts of kindness proved Aristotles influence on Alexander the Great;
Alexander was a deeper thinker and therefore more wise because of Aristotle.
Although Aristotle had a truly great impact on Alexander, Alexander also made decisions
that dont seem to follow suit with his education from Aristotle. Alexander often viewed himself
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as a deity, his true father being Zeus. It is possible that he only spared Jerusalem for the fact that
he matched a prophecy in the Book of Daniel, chapter eight, and not because of the fact that he
respected the religious practices of the Jews. Whatever the reason may be, none can argue that he
was merciful, and he may not have been if it werent for Aristotle.
If Alexander had been educated by a different philosopher or teacher, he may have been
more power-hungry, or perhaps not able to appreciate any surrounding cultures. Aristotle indeed
made Alexander a better thinker, and therefore, a better ruler. If Philip II had not assigned
Aristotle as Alexanders teacher, Alexander may not have been the great ruler that he was.

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Notes
1. See Aristotle by Joshua J. Mark for more insight to Aristotles educational background.
2. For more understanding how Alexander was influenced by and how he influenced the
Jews, read about Alexander and the Jews in Alexander the Great on
www.jewishhistory.org
3. Read Alexander the Great by Joshua J. Mark for more information on Alexanders
conquests and the influence of Leonidas.
4. Refer to BBCs article on Alexander the Great for a detailed description of Alexanders
conquered lands.

BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2014.

BBC News is a broadcast news organization which gathers news and presents it to the
public. BBC was founded over one-hundred years ago and strives for accuracy. This article
describes Alexander the Great as a king, and how he was successful in commanding and unifying
his empire.

Wein, Berel. "Jewish History." Jewish History. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.
Jewish History is produced by the Destiny foundation and uses Berel Wein's audio
lectures and books, and other historical sources as sources of information. "Alexander the Great"
states information about Alexander and his ties and influences with the Jewish culture.

Briant, Pierre. "Alexander Before the Expedition to Asia Minor." (2012): n.

pag. Http://press.princeton.edu/. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.
Pierre Briant is a Professor of History and Civilization of the Achaemenid World. Briant's
introduction to Alexander the Great's Empire is an overview of Alexander's conquests, and
describes the history of Alexander and his empire.

Mark, Joshua J. "Aristotle." Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 12 Oct.
2014.
Ancient History Encyclopedia is a non-profit educational website. All research and
sources are thoroughly checked. Joshua J. Mark is a writer, scholar, and co-founder of Ancient
History Encyclopedia. "Aristotle" describes the life of Aristotle and gives details on his
philosophies, life, and education.