Just who decided Alexander was "Great" anyway? Shouldn't each generation vote and revise judgments if needed?

Answer 1

The white men who wrote all history,cause i know its always been all about the white mans story! That's why its called His-Story!!!

Answer 2

No. What you are suggesting is to commit the historical error called "presentism" or "the arrogance of the modern". You do not want to judge historical events or people by the standards of today. "Today" is only a moment in time, as are we the people who stand in judgment. What you are also suggesting is rewriting history to match the ever fluid standards of the present.

"Great" does not necessarily mean "good". Alexander was great because of his spectacularly successful reign of power throughout the ancient world and the geography his rule covered.

A good example of rewriting history and applying the standards of today to historical events is the misguided attempts at reparations for slavery in the USA. Well, the people advocating reparations should sue the descendants of the African tribal people who sold their ancestors into slavery. If that was a valid concept then the Wendish remnant of Eastern Europe should go after the Germanic people who took over their lands.

History is political, but rewriting history to suit the needs of PRESENT political interests is wrong. Historians will have their biases, but honest historians look at all aspects of history and try and keep their personal opinions OUT of their work.

Answer 3

He conquered most of the known world at a young age! That's what made him so great. Also he the way he treated the conquered peoples was unheard of until then. He treated them with respect.
Why do you want to change judgements? Do you want to vote and say that Hitler was a saint and that Martin Luther King Jr. was a menace? The reason why future generations shouldn't be able to change judgements is because they have no idea what actually happen back then.

Answer 4

Very few people are able to conquer the know part of the world. That's how he became "Great." I can hardly wait until this generation revises its judgment of George W Bush for conquering Iraq.

Answer 5

The title of "the Great" is only handed out to very few people in history. The title wouldn't stick if it wasn't true. Don't pay attention to the Oliver Stone's Crappy Movie...Alexander was Great. Remember, in my opinion the greatest thinker of all time was Socrates, who influenced Plato, who influenced Aristotle, who influenced Alexander, who influenced Western Society which you live in.

Answer 6

I don't think you can expect people to judge someone they did not know. We can easily write about people in our day because we have seen years of their live to make a valid decision. Same as people we deem great today, the people back then did also. It is not all about "white" history either. Genghis Khan, Atilla the Hun, Hannibal, Egyptian Pharohs, were all great men written in history who were not white. The opposite when you look at Old testament Bible writings many of the Kings of Israel were deemed evil men by their peirs and God. These were white Jewish men writing about white jewish men in a bad light. If you are going to throw race in, know your history... back to the question and off the soap box. Just as we are not fit to re-write who was great then, they would not be informed to vote who is great today.

Answer 7

Don't you think that would be a wee bit arrogant? Alexander had an impact that changed world history, and only time really tells how seemingly important recent figures will be seen in history.

Answer 8

no I don't think so b/c in his time who he was was alexander the great you can't change someones title like Ivan the terrible u wouldn't change that. He was alexander the great and he will always be alexander tht great. that is was history we didn't come up with it they did.

Answer 9

"Great" in that sense connotes the magnitude of his fame and historical impact, not a positive review of his personality. It still applies.