ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Epic History TV Hear Alexander the Great's Legendary Speech in Ancient Greek!
Imagine standing in front of a massive army, ready to conquer the world. That’s exactly what Alexander the Great did, and his speeches were legendary. Let’s dive into one of his most famous speeches, where he talks to his soldiers about their incredible journey together.
Alexander starts by reminding his soldiers about his father, King Philip II of Macedon. Philip transformed Macedonia from a struggling region into a powerful kingdom. He established cities with strong laws and customs, turning the Macedonians from oppressed people into rulers. Philip’s leadership was recognized across Greece, especially during the campaign against the Persians, a significant honor for all Macedonians.
Alexander then shifts the focus to his own accomplishments. He talks about crossing the Hellespont, a strategic waterway, and defeating the Persian satraps under King Darius. His conquests expanded the Macedonian Empire to include regions like Ionia, Aeolis, Phrygia, and Lydia. Cities like Miletus fell to his siege, and many others surrendered willingly, adding their wealth to the empire.
Alexander’s victories didn’t stop there. He brought the riches of Egypt and Cyrene into the fold without a fight. Regions like Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Babylonia were now under Macedonian control. The treasures of Lydia, Persia, and even the jewels of India were theirs, making his soldiers leaders and commanders of vast lands.
Despite these immense riches, Alexander claims he kept nothing for himself except his cloak and diadem. He lived like his soldiers, eating the same food and sharing their hardships. He often stayed awake at night to ensure their safety. Alexander challenges his men to show their scars, promising to reveal his own, as proof of his dedication to their glory and wealth.
Alexander highlights the shared experiences with his soldiers, from celebrating weddings together to paying off their debts. Many soldiers wore crowns as symbols of their bravery and the honor Alexander bestowed upon them. Those who died in battle were given full honors, with statues erected in their memory in Macedonia, and their families exempt from taxes.
Finally, Alexander addresses the desire of some soldiers to return home. He acknowledges their wishes but reminds them of the vast territories they’ve conquered together. He lists the lands they’ve marched across, from the Hindu Kush mountains to the Indus River, and the challenges they’ve overcome, like crossing the desert of Gedrosia.
Alexander expresses disappointment that some soldiers want to leave him, especially after all they’ve achieved. He sarcastically suggests they tell their families how they abandoned their king, leaving him with the foreigners they had conquered.
Alexander’s speech is a powerful reminder of leadership, sacrifice, and the bonds formed through shared struggles. It’s a testament to his vision of a united empire and the loyalty he expected from his soldiers.
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Gather in groups and choose a section of Alexander’s speech to reenact. Focus on delivering the speech with emotion and conviction, just as Alexander might have. Pay attention to the historical context and try to convey the significance of his words to his soldiers. After each performance, discuss how the speech might have motivated the troops and what leadership qualities Alexander demonstrated.
Create a detailed map tracing Alexander’s conquests from Macedonia to India. Use different colors to represent the various regions he conquered, such as Ionia, Egypt, and Persia. Label key battles and cities mentioned in the speech. This visual representation will help you understand the vastness of Alexander’s empire and the strategic importance of each conquest.
Engage in a debate about Alexander’s leadership style. Divide into two groups: one supporting Alexander’s approach to leadership and the other critiquing it. Use examples from the speech to support your arguments. Consider aspects like his sacrifices, shared experiences with soldiers, and his expectations of loyalty. Reflect on how these leadership qualities are relevant today.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of one of Alexander’s soldiers. Describe the emotions and thoughts you might have experienced during the speech. Consider the impact of Alexander’s words on your morale and your decision to continue the campaign or return home. This exercise will help you empathize with the soldiers and understand their motivations.
Research the long-term impact of Alexander’s conquests on the regions he conquered. Present your findings in a presentation or essay. Focus on cultural exchanges, economic changes, and the spread of Hellenistic influence. Discuss how Alexander’s vision of a united empire shaped the world and what lessons can be learned from his achievements and failures.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content while maintaining the overall message:
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What I’m about to say, Macedonians, isn’t meant to stop you from returning home. You can go wherever you wish. But first, I want you to understand how you have behaved towards me and how I have treated you.
I’ll begin, as is right, with my father, Philip. When Philip found you, you were struggling and barely able to defend your land. He made you dwellers of cities with good laws and customs. He turned you from being oppressed into rulers over those who used to threaten you. Then he was declared leader of all Greece for the campaign against the Persians, an honor not just for himself but for all Macedonians.
These are the great deeds that my father Philip did for you. Great enough on their own, but small compared to what you’ve gained from me! I opened up the Hellespont, even though back then the Persians still commanded the sea. I defeated the satraps of the Great King Darius and expanded your empire to include Ionia, Aeolis, Phrygia, and Lydia, and took Miletus by siege. The rest of the land surrendered to me willingly, and I granted you its wealth.
All the riches of Egypt and Cyrene, which I won without a fight, are yours now. Hollow Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, all belong to you! The wealth of Lydia, the treasures of Persia, the jewels of India, and the outer sea – all yours! You are now leaders and commanders.
What have I held back for myself apart from this cloak and diadem? Nothing. No man can point to my riches – only the things I hold in trust for you all. And what would I do with them anyway? I eat what you eat. I get no more rest than you. I know I’ve spent the night on watch several times so that you could sleep soundly. Who among you believes he’s worked harder for me than I have for him?
If you’ve got scars, show them to me! I’ll show you mine. There isn’t one part of my body that doesn’t bear a wound. I have scars from every weapon you can think of – all for the sake of your lives, your glory, and your wealth. And yet I am still leading you, as conquerors of land and sea, rivers, mountains, and plains.
We’ve celebrated our weddings together. Many of your children will be related to my own. I’ve paid off your debts, without asking how you got them, even though you’re compensated well and gain much from every city we take. Most of you wear crowns – badges of your valor and the honor you receive from me. Anyone who was killed has met a glorious end and been buried with full honors. Most now stand immortalized by statues in Macedonia. Their parents are honored and pay no taxes.
Under my command, not one man has been killed fleeing the enemy. And now I wanted to send back those of you who are no longer fit for service, objects of envy to those at home. But since you all wish to go, then all of you – go! Go home and tell them that your king, Alexander, conqueror of the Persians, Medes, Bactrians, and Sacae, who now rules over the Parthians, Chorasmians, and Hyrcanians as far as the Caspian Sea, who’s marched over the mountains of the Hindu Kush, crossed the Oxus and Tanais rivers, even the Indus – the first to cross it since Dionysus himself.
I would have crossed the Hyphasis too if you hadn’t hesitated. I have sailed into the Great Sea from both mouths of the Indus, crossed the desert of Gedrosia, where no one had ever led an army. I took Carmenia while my fleet had already sailed the Persian Gulf. Tell them at home that when you made it back to Susa, you abandoned him and went home, leaving him under the protection of the foreigners you’d conquered.
Perhaps this report of yours will seem glorious in the eyes of men and worthy indeed in the eyes of the gods. Be gone!
Thank you to all the supporters who helped create this video. If you’d like exclusive early access to videos like this, and the chance to vote on future topics, please visit the Patreon page. If you’d like to find out more about the films in ancient Greek, visit the link in the video description.
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This version maintains the essence of the original message while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Alexander – A historical figure known as Alexander the Great, who was a king of Macedonia and one of the most successful military commanders in history. – Alexander’s conquests spread Greek culture throughout the known world, influencing countless generations.
Great – Remarkable in degree, magnitude, or effectiveness, often used to describe influential historical figures or events. – The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that had profound effects on global history.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to the lasting impact of historical figures or events. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can still be seen in modern legal systems and architectural styles.
Achievements – Accomplishments or successes that are noteworthy, often in the context of historical figures or events. – The achievements of the Renaissance period include remarkable advancements in art, science, and literature.
Sacrifices – Acts of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy, often seen in historical contexts. – The sacrifices made by soldiers during World War II were crucial in securing the freedoms enjoyed today.
Experiences – Events or occurrences that leave an impression on someone, often shaping historical narratives or personal accounts. – The experiences of those who lived through the Industrial Revolution were marked by rapid technological and social changes.
Territories – Areas of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state, often discussed in the context of historical conquests and empires. – The expansion of the Ottoman Empire included the acquisition of vast territories across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Leadership – The action of leading a group or organization, often highlighted in discussions of historical figures and their influence. – The leadership of Queen Elizabeth I was instrumental in establishing England as a major world power during the Elizabethan era.
Loyalty – A strong feeling of support or allegiance, often emphasized in historical accounts of alliances and conflicts. – The loyalty of the samurai to their lords was a defining characteristic of feudal Japan.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army, often central to historical narratives of wars and military campaigns. – The soldiers of the American Revolution fought bravely for independence from British rule.
