Alexander, the Man Who Would Be God
Millions remain fascinated by one of history's most intriguing and successful conquerors. An ancient source sheds new light on his achievements—and his downfall.
by Darris McNeely
The story of Alexander the Great is one that is both old and new. More than 23 centuries after leaping from Greece to conquer most of the known world, his story continues to fascinate modern audiences and inspire scholarly study. New books pore over the ancient chronicles of his conquests, and two new motion pictures will portray both the factual and romantic aspects of his fame. But at the end of the day, many questions remain unanswered.
How should we understand Alexander the Great today? Is there an overlooked source that refers to his exploits in the context of God's design for history and mankind? You may be surprised to know that Alexander's exploits are mentioned in Bible prophecies that are ignored by modern scholars in their quest to understand his historical significance. The Bible has a great deal to teach us about God's hand in history and why events transpire the way they do.
The beginning
Alexander was born at Pella in 356 B.C. His father, Philip, king of Macedon, had assembled the Greek states into a coalition that laid the foundation for the army Alexander would take to Asia. His mother was Olympias, with whom he had a close relationship. She was a devotee of the god Dionysius and is said to have astonished the royal court by bringing snakes into their presence. The marriage was stormy. When Philip was assassinated in 336, 20-year-old Alexander moved quickly to consolidate power and assume the kingly title.
Persia was the enemy of Greece, and there were old scores to settle. Alexander inherited his father's ambition and vision to be more than a regional monarch. Before taking on the empire to the east, he first had to consolidate his own power. He took his troops north, as far as the Danube, and south in Greece to neutralize any regional opposition. He was now ready for the invasion of Asia.
Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0411/index.htm
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Table of Contents that includes "Alexander, the Man Who Would Be God"
Other Articles by Darris McNeely
Greek empire:
- _Another Brick in a New World
- _The Intertestamental Period: Daniel's Prophecies Come to Pass
- _Thankless Self-Absorption: One for Whom the World Was Not Enough
- _Alexander Reads About Himself in the Book of Daniel
- _The Intertestamental Period: Daniel's Prophecies Come to Pass
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