Thursday, January 24, 2013
"The Leadership of Alexander" - Arrian
Author Bio: Arrian was a Greek historian and philosopher who was one of the most distinguished and well-known authors during the 2nd-century Roman Empire. His most prominent work is Anabasis, which chronicled the military campaigns and exploits of Alexander the Great. Though a great admirer of Alexander the Great, he was mainly focused on the military aspects of the chronicle.
Context/Date: Arrian was writing in the first century of the Common Era in the Roman Empire, but the actual events he describes take place around 325 BCE. Arrian is reflecting on the strong leadership of Alexander as he retreats back from India close to the end of his exploration and expansion. Alexander and his army are struggling to get through the desert after Alexander's men convince him to return to Macedon. Arrian shows how, despite the hard journey, Alexander's army never questioned his leadership.
Summary: Alexander and his army are crossing the desert, barely able to carry on, but doing so because they are so desperate to find water. Alexander himself is dying of thirst, but marches on at the head of his men to help them endure and show them that their misery is equally shared. A small group of soldiers break off from the group to look for water and discover a small puddle in a gully. Bringing the water back in a helmet, the soldiers give their only source of water to Alexander. Alexander thanks the men and promptly pours the water on the ground. He is making the statement that if no one else could have a drink of water, than neither would he: he was equal to and no better than them. This act provides huge inspiration and a newfound resolve in his men, allowing them to endure and carry on.
Key Quotation:
"Alexander, with a word of thanks for the gift, took the helmet, and, in full view of his troops, poured the water on the ground. So extraordinary was the effect of this action that the water wasted by Alexander was as good as a drink for every man in the army. I cannot praise this act too highly, it was a proof, if anything was, not only of his power of endurance, but also of his genius for leadership."
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Great job Alex! I thought the key quotation that you used was a great example of the tone and theme of the passage. The only thing that I might suggest would be to have a shorter quote, but at the same time I think that without the last sentence it wouldn't fully get the entire point across.
ReplyDeleteYour summary was very thorough and you definitely read the passage the same way I did. I like how you clearly stated how Alexander viewed himself equal to his troops and that this really kept the morale of the army high.
I think your author bio was set up and explained very well, I liked the way that you clarified that even though Arrian admired Alexander he focused more on the military campaigns.
I'm glad that you explained that even though the actual events of the passage happend around 325 BC, Arrian wrote this passage as a reflection many years later. Overall I thought you did a good CASK.
Great work! Arrian (ca. 89-155 CE) presents this admiring account of Alexander to inspire and set an example for other leaders. Excellent quote selection - I would have selected the same quote.
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