Roman Empire Anecdotes

Alexander the Great in Roman Thought: Hero, Rival, and Legend

How did the Romans see Alexander the Great? Were they influenced? What did they think about his personality? His military accomplishments? His life?

Christina Athanasiou

Nov 27, 2024 — 13 min read

Silhouette of Alexander the Great Statue at Sunrise, Thessaloniki, Greece. Credits: Netfalls, by Canva

Alexander the Great, one of history's most iconic figures, captured the imagination of civilizations far beyond his lifetime. Born in 356 BCE in Macedonia, Alexander's meteoric rise as a military genius and empire-builder left an indelible mark on the ancient world.

His conquests stretched from Greece to the edges of India, blending cultures and establishing a Hellenistic legacy that influenced art, politics, and philosophy for centuries. Yet, Alexander’s image did not remain static; for the Romans, his legend was not always a source of admiration, as someone would expect.

Revered by some as the epitome of leadership and ambition, and critiqued by others as a cautionary tale of hubris, Alexander’s life offered the Romans a complex mirror through which they reflected on their own imperial destiny. The myths around Alexander, began right after his death.

This article uses the following tags:

Roman Empire Anecdotes, roman empire, alexander the great, Greek, Scipio Africanus, Hadrian, rome, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Plutarch, Pompey the Great, Carthage, Punic War, Juvenal, Hannibal, Emperor, Seneca, romulus, Spartacus, Macedonia, Livy

About the Roman Empire Times

See all the latest news for the Roman Empire, ancient Roman historical facts, anecdotes from Roman Times and stories from the Empire at romanempiretimes.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow RET on Google News, Flipboard and subscribe here to our daily email.

Follow the Roman Empire Times on social media:

People who read this article also viewed these

Emperor Domitian painting, by Abraham Bloemaert

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Emperor Domitian: Tyrant or Reformer?

Emperor Domitian, who ruled Rome from 81 to 96 CE, is one of the most polarizing figures of the Roman Empire. Dismissed by many ancient writers as a tyrant and remembered for his strained relationship with the Senate, Domitian’s legacy is one of complexity and contradiction.

A possible representation of a Roman tribune during his oratory speech in front of a Roman plebeian crowd

Roman Empire Historical Facts

What was a Tribune in Ancient Rome?

Tribune was the title of various elected officials in Ancient Rome, but since the term is a bit convoluted and lost in time, the answer to the question is not a simple one.

A possible representation of Seneca the Younger moments before his suicide

Roman Empire Historical Facts

The Tragic Philosopher: Seneca the Younger’s Journey Through Stoicism and Politics

Seneca the Younger, a towering figure of the Roman intellectual world, lived a life filled with paradoxes.

A possible representation of Vespasian, on the left as a younger Roman General, on the right as a sovereign Emperor of Rome.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

From Soldier to Sovereign: The Rise and Reign of Vespasian

The final ruler during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian established the Flavian dynasty, which governed the Roman Empire for 27 years.

An apotheosis ritual for a Roman Emperor, with an eagle being released from his pyre in front of the crowd

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Ascending to the Divine: The Practice and Meaning of Apotheosis in Ancient Rome

How was apotheosis used as a religious practice, but also as a political tool in ancient Rome? How was it used to solidify dynastic legitimacy and reinforce imperial ideology?

A possible representation of the Roman poet Martial

Roman Empire Anecdotes

The Roman Poet of Sharp Words: Martial and his Rome

Martial was a Roman poet, the man behind the epigrams, who is remembered for his razor-sharp commentary

A possible representation of Roman Emperor Macrinus, inside the royal palace, plotting next moves in front of a model of Rome

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Macrinus’ True Story: Gladiator 2’s Power Player and Rome’s Brief Emperor

In the records of Roman history, Marcus Opellius Macrinus stands as a unique, and often overlooked figure.

A dramatic photo of the Roman Forum, with Trajan’s Column on the right and a seagull flying in the middle

Roman Empire Historical Facts

The Spiraling Legacy of Trajan's Column: Art, Propaganda, and Power

Trajan's Column is an iconic piece of Roman art and architecture, rich with historical, artistic, and cultural significance.