Alice Hocker's Your Greatness Is Not What You Give

Alice Hocker correctly stated, “Your greatness is not what you have, but in what you give,” (“Your Greatness Is Not What You Have But In What You Give”). Alexander was someone who took from others. He had a lot of land, money and things he did not need but wanted. Alexander, the King of Macedon, took thousands of lives and seized land the size of the US. If people judged Alexander on what he gave than he would not be known as Alexander the Great, but as Alexander the Annihilator. Alexander was born in Macedonia. His Father was King PhilipⅡ and his mother was Olympia. Olympia was one of seven wives King Philip had. Alexander’s father wanted the best of the best to educate him. A Greek philosopher, Aristotle, became his teacher and taught him
Alexander’s father, King PhilipⅡwas murdered by one of his own bodyguards, Pausanias. Alexander and his father had a rocky relationship. Evidence found has made historians believe Alexander was involved in the murder. According to Ancients Behaving Badly, “After his father’s death, Alexander put a surplus of gold in his father’s tomb,” (Ancients Behaving Badly). This shows that Alexander was a coward because guilt pushes people to do things they wouldn’t normally do. Guilty people who hide from the consequences are cowards. Brave people take responsibility for what they did and face the consequences, but like Alexander, cowards put people off their trail and blame others. Alexander had a close relationship with his mother. She loved him very much and thought very much of him. Ancients Behaving Badly says, “After his father died, rumors said that two of King Philip’s other sons were in line for the crown. Olympia and Alexander were very upset. Olympia wanted her son to be king. Historians can agree that Olympia was involved in the king’s murder and Alexander knew of the plans. They also can agree that she had something to do with assuming the throne instead of the other two suitors,” (Ancients Behaving Badly). This proves that Alexander was a coward because leaders need to be truthful and proud of what they did to gain their position. People need leaders to be strong and genuine to lead them and be able to
Alexander the Great while on his march across the surface of the Earth came and ended in India. In India Alexander had a war against King Porus at the Hydaspes River. According to Arrianus, “Alexander and his army had no chance against against Porus’ elephants. He saw a way. His army surrounded and boxed in the elephants causing a stampede that destroyed their army,” (Arrianus Document B). Although, Alexander had one creative strategy when fighting Porus, overall King Alexander of Macedon lacked creativity. Along the way of conquering land from Italy to India, Alexander set up multiple garrison towns. Garrison towns are control centers for the soldiers to live. According to Document A, “Thirteen garrison towns were set up around the empire. Eleven Alexander named Alexandria, after himself,” (“Alexander’s Empire” Document A). This proves that Alexander did not have creativity because creativity is an important part of leading large armies fighting hundreds of battles. And creativity is changing things up making differences, which is not what Alexander did not do.In summary, Alexander the Great was not genuinely great because of his lack of creativity, although some may disagree saying he was