Alexander III of Macedon, also known as Alexander the Great, was the king of Macedon in ancient Greece.
As the ruler of Macedonia from 336 to 323 BCE, he dismantled the Persian empire, extended Macedonian influence all the way to India, and set the stage for the era of Hellenistic kingdoms.
Alexander became legendary even during his own time, inspiring countless tales.
Over time, these stories evolved into a grand legend that only faintly mirrors his real-life exploits.
Here is a powerful collection of quotes by Alexander the Great.
Top 10 Alexander the Great Quotes
1. “With the right attitude, self-imposed limitations vanish.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
2. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
3. “There are so many worlds and I have not yet conquered even one.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
4. “Let us conduct ourselves so that all men wish to be our friends and all fear to be our enemies.” ~ (Alexander the Great Quotes).
5. “I do not steal victory.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
6. “I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
7. “In the end, when it’s over, all that matters is what you’ve done.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
8. “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
9. “If I could not be Alexander I would be Diogenes.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
10. “Every light is not the sun.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
Best Alexander the Great Quotes
11. “Glory crowns the deeds of those who expose themselves to toils and dangers.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
12. “Each moment free from fear makes a man immortal.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
13. “For my part, I think that to a man of spirit there is no other aim and end of his labours except the labours themselves.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
14. “An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
15. “When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we will never take back.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
16. “May God keep you away from the venom of the cobra, the teeth of the tiger, and the revenge of the Afghans.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
17. “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
18. “On their side more men are standing, on ours more will fight!” ~ (Alexander the Great Quotes).
19. “But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
20. “Are there no more worlds that I might conquer?” ~ (Alexander the Great).
Powerful Alexander the Great Quotes
“A tomb now suffices him for whom the whole world was not sufficient.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
21. “Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” – Alexander the Great.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
22. “Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
23. “Through every generation of the human race there has been a constant war, a war with fear. Those who have the courage to conquer it are made free and those who are conquered by it are made to suffer until they have the courage to defeat it, or death takes them.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
24. “I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
25. “Heaven cannot brook two suns, nor earth two masters.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
26. “The end and object of conquest is to avoid doing the same thing as the conquered.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
27. “Now you fear punishment and beg for your lives, so I will let you free, if not for any other reason so that you can see the difference between a Greek king and a barbarian tyrant, so do not expect to suffer any harm from me. A king does not kill messengers.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
28. “There is something noble in hearing myself ill spoken of, when I am doing well;.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
29. “As for a limit to one’s labors, I, for one, do not recognize any for a high-minded man, except that the labors themselves should lead to noble accomplishments.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
30. “I am involved in the land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a well of steel, confronting my soldier. You have brought only one son into the world, but everyone in this land can be called an Alexander.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
31. “We of Macedon for generations past have been trained in the hard school of danger and war.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
32. “How great are the dangers I face to win a good name in Athens.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
33. “I foresee a great funeral contest over me.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
Famous Alexander the Great Quotes
34. “Are you still to learn that the end and perfection of our victories is to avoid the vices and infirmities of those whom we subdue?” ~ (Alexander the Great).
35. “I am dying with the help of too many physicians.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
36. “Shall I pass by and leave you lying there because of the expedition you led against Greece, or shall I set you up again because of your magnanimity and your virtues in other respects?” ~ (Alexander the Great).
37. “I send you a kaffis of mustard seed, that you may taste and acknowledge the bitterness of my victory.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
38. “At Achilles tomb, O fortunate youth, to have found Homer as the herald of your glory!” ~ (Alexander the Great).
39. “I consider not what Parmenio should receive, but what Alexander should give.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
40. “O Athenians, what toil do I undergo to please you!” ~ (Alexander the Great).
41. “Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
42. “Toil and risk are the price of glory, but it is a lovely thing to live with courage and die leaving an everlasting fame.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
43. “True love never has a happy ending, because there is no ending to true love.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
44. “Bury my body and don’t build any monument. Keep my hands out so the people know the one who won the world had nothing in hand when he died.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
45. “God must have loved Afghans because he made them so beautiful.” ~ (Alexander the Great).
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Short Biography of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great, ascending to the throne of Macedon at 20, swiftly built one of history’s largest empires, from Greece to India, by 30.
Taught by Aristotle until 16, he reasserted control in the Balkans and led the Greek conquest of Persia.
His 10-year campaign dismantled the Persian Empire, with significant battles at Issus and Gaugamela.
| Full Name | Alexander III of Macedon |
| Born | 20 or 21 July 356 BC Pella, Macedon |
| Died | 10 or 11 June 323 BC (aged 32) Babylon, Mesopotamia, Macedonian Empire |
| King of Macedon | 336–323 BC |
| Hegemon of the Hellenic League | 336–323 BC |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | 332–323 BC |
| Spouse | Roxana, Stateira, Parysatis |
| Issue | Alexander IV, Heracles |
| Greek | Ἀλέξανδρος |
| Dynasty | Argead |
| Father | Philip II of Macedon |
| Mother | Olympias of Epirus |
| Religion | Ancient Greek religion |
Alexander ventured into India but turned back due to his troop’s longing for home, dying in Babylon at 32.
His conquests spurred cultural diffusion, notably Greco-Buddhism, and influenced Western culture deeply.
Alexander’s military genius remains a benchmark, and his life inspired countless legends, profoundly shaping historical and cultural narratives worldwide.
Quick Facts about Alexander the Great
- Alexander the Great was born in Pella, Macedonia, around July 20, 356 BC.
- He became king of Macedonia at age 20, following his father Philip II’s death in 336 BC.
- Alexander was tutored by Aristotle until the age of 16.
- His empire stretched from Greece to northwestern India by the time he was 30.
- He led a significant campaign through Asia for over 10 years, starting in 334 BC.
- Alexander’s conquests included the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which he dismantled by 324 BC.
- He was known for his undefeated status in battle, making him a legendary military commander.
- His death in 323 BC in Babylon marked the beginning of the Hellenistic period.
- Alexander’s legacy includes the spread of Greek culture and the founding of over twenty cities.
- The city of Alexandria in Egypt is among his most famous urban foundations.
- He aimed to reach the “ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea” and invaded India in 326 BC.
- Alexander died at the age of 32 without executing planned campaigns beyond the Greek invasion of Arabia.
- His death led to the disintegration of the Macedonian Empire due to the ensuing civil wars.
- Alexander’s military tactics are still studied in military academies around the world.
- The Alexander Romance became a significant literary work, detailing his legendary exploits.
- Legends suggest his birth was marked by omens, including the burning of the Temple of Artemis.
- Philip II and Olympias, Alexander’s parents, were linked to divine dreams and omens at his birth.
- As a child, Alexander tamed the horse Bucephalas, showcasing his courage and ambition.
- Aristotle’s education covered a broad range of subjects, from medicine to philosophy.
- Alexander was deeply influenced by the Iliad and carried an annotated copy on his campaigns.
- The Macedonian court was familiar with Persian issues, partly due to Persian exiles’ presence.
- He was involved in reasserting Macedonian control in the Balkans early in his reign.
- Alexander’s empire was one of the largest in history, achieved in a relatively short time.
- His approach to conquering involved both military might and cultural assimilation.
- The Hellenistic civilization that emerged from his conquests influenced Western culture deeply.
- Greek became the lingua franca of the region due to Alexander’s conquests.
- His death left a power vacuum that led to the fragmentation of his empire.
- Alexander’s cultural impact was profound, influencing areas far beyond the military.
- He was seen as a classical hero, akin to Achilles, in his and later times.
- Despite his early death, Alexander’s achievements made him a measure for military leaders throughout history.
Top Questions about Alexander the Great
A: Alexander the Great ascended to the throne of Macedon at the age of 20.
A: Alexander ruled for less than 13 years, expanding his empire from Macedonia to Egypt and from Greece to part of India.
A: In India, Alexander achieved a significant victory against King Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes.
A: Alexander was tutored by Aristotle until the age of 16, studying a broad range of subjects including philosophy and medicine.
A: Alexander founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt, which became a key center of Hellenistic culture.
A: Legends say Alexander was born on July 20, 356 BC, amidst omens like a thunderbolt striking his mother’s womb and the Temple of Artemis burning down.
A: Alexander’s beloved horse was named Bucephalas, symbolizing his courage and ambition from a young age.
A: Alexander overthrew the Achaemenid Persian Empire, with Darius III being its last emperor.
A: Alexander’s conquests led to cultural diffusion and syncretism, exemplified by phenomena like Greco-Buddhism and the spread of Hellenistic civilization.
A: Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC, likely from an illness with symptoms aligning with typhoid.
