Many of our students have recently learned about the life of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). In Plutarch’s Life of Alexander, one remarkable quality that stands out in the Macedonian conqueror is his undaunted, confident boldness. The stories of boldness abound: Alexander fearlessly tamed the wild horse Bucephalus. He audaciously cut the impossible Gordian knot. And of course, he conquered most of the known world of his day, stretching from Macedonia in the west to India’s Ganges River in the east. Plutarch writes that even as a boy, Alexander could be “extremely eager and vehement, and in his love of glory, and the pursuit of it, he showed a solidity of high spirit and magnanimity far above his age.”
Alexander’s boldness is, in many ways, a good quality to emulate. Uncertainty and timidity aren’t of much service to anyone. But on the other hand, it was not boldness alone that won Alexander his fame and success; and more importantly, it is not boldness alone that is worth our praise and emulation.
First of all, although he was often ambitious, Alexander could also exercise great self-control and moderation. In one striking anecdote, after conquering the better part of the Persian empire, Alexander’s generals had become exceedingly rich and lazy. Alexander patiently but firmly warned them against this way of life—that they were enslaving themselves to wealth, that the happier man is the one who labors for himself, and that they were falling into the same snare as the Persians they had just conquered. “Are you still to learn that the end and perfection of our victories,” he said, “is to avoid the vices and infirmities of those whom we subdue?” Even here, near the height of his reign, Alexander values self-control and discipline above wealth and ease.
Second, for all his love of conquest, Alexander also knew when to use a measure of mercy. In his earlier years as king, he regretted that his men did too much violence and injustice to the citizens of Thebes. Later, when he captured King Darius’ mother, wife, and daughters, he ensured their safety and good treatment. A servant of Darius, coming to the Persian king from Alexander’s camp, said that he was “as gentle after victory, as he is terrible in the field.” This element of mercy did not detract from Alexander’s fearsome reputation; rather, it added to his reputation honor and respect.
Finally, as much as he was above his men as their leader, Alexander gladly suffered with them. Once, when passing through a parched land, Alexander alone was offered a drink of precious water that some soldiers were carrying in a helmet. He took the helmet, looked around him at his thirsting troops, and refused to drink, saying that if he did, “the rest would be out of heart.” This roused his men to fresh resolve, and they immediately continued their march.
It is not only boldness that makes for great leaders and men. Self-control, mercy, and sacrifice are just as important. And although we see these well in the life of Alexander, such virtues ultimately call Christ to mind. He came not to be served, but to serve, and His zeal for our salvation was inseparably joined to His mercy toward us and His suffering for our sake. May He lead us to every good virtue, and comfort us with the salvation he accomplished through His perfect virtue and love!
In Christ,
Miss Hahn
