Alexander the Great from Plutarch's Parallel Lives

What makes a man “great”—his victories or his character?

In this episode, we step into Plutarch’s account of Alexander the Great. And not just the conqueror of the known world at the time, but the complex, driven, and often contradictory actions of the man himself. From taming the wild horse Bucephalus as a boy to win after win after win in conquering tribes and nations, Alexander’s life is a story of brilliance and ambition.

Plutarch isn’t just reciting history but describing the character of the man. And in Alexander, there's a lot to discover. He led an amazing life by all accounts.