'When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.’ Thus Hans Gruber (Die Hard, 1988) misquotes the ancient author Plutarch, who in turn was crafting an Alexander to suit his own narrative many years after Alexander’s death. Alexander’s impact on the world is undeniable; he is widely remembered as a compelling leader and military genius who facilitated cultural exchange across three continents. But the reality is more complex than this idealised portrait, and the figure of Alexander and his reign has been distorted through many lenses and appropriated for many ends.

In this unit we will explore the complexities of the history of Alexander and his impact by analysing the perspectives of ancient writers across diverse genres and time periods. We will also examine how the myth of Alexander has evolved in the modern era, and how it has been marshalled to legitimise claims to political authority. We will delve into ongoing scholarly debates about Alexander: was he a charismatic king or cruel megalomaniac? Was he a divine conqueror with a vision or an inebriated adolescent with an army? To this day, scholarly opinion is divided concerning the nature of Alexander and his achievements.  

You will engage with a diverse range of sources to understand Alexander as a historical person and a subject of myth and propaganda. We will explore interdisciplinary themes of politics, leadership, and statecraft as we situate Alexander’s extraordinary career in its historical context and trace the evolution of its reception into the modern age. You will be equipped to question the narratives that surround Alexander and the so-called ‘glory of conquest’ and evaluate the reasons why Alexander continues to capture the imagination of scholars, politicians, and creative professionals