Weekly #4b- Does Power Corrupt? How or How Not? Why or Why Not? Do you think Alexander was corrupted? And who influenced whom the most: Did Persia become more Greek or did Alexander becoming more Persian?

            Power was very important to Alexander the Great in the ancient world. With it, he led to many accomplishments and became a prevailing ruler. His success in history still leads us wondering today about how a young man could conquer the entire Persian Empire. Alexander’s power definitely led him to do many unscrupulous things to people. Power was misused in the ancient world and corrupted the rulers.

            The rulers in the ancient world were fascinated by power. It led them to do some pretty crazy things. When there is no heir after a king dies, men fight for the position. They are not orderly or profession at all. Men in the ancient world just wanted the authority to have people follow them. Like Alexander the Great, many also wanted to be looked up to. They wanted to be seen as some kind of god or goddess, so people would respect them. They would also gain authority. People would do whatever they wanted.

Although Alexander the Great looked as if he were a very good leader to some people, it seemed that he did certain things for personal gain. He became infuriated with Bessus when Bessus killed King Darius III. When, in reality, Alexander wanted Darius dead anyway; he just wanted to kill him himself. Since his enemy died, he decided to make Bessus his new rival. After all, he had no one else to conquer. He gained from the power that he had, and he needed to start wars to earn it. He seemed to only care about himself most of the time and not about his followers. He was very good at accomplishing his goals. The Greeks were probably upset about his decision to become allies with the Persians because of the Persian wrongs and what they did in the past to Alexander. Alexander was, without a doubt, corrupted as a leader.

            The Persians became more Greek after their defeat. They were influenced by Greek civilization and culture. Alexander the Great made them transform into his army. Women had to leave their husbands, while their husbands became soldiers for Alexander the Great. The women had to marry Greek men. The impact of the Greeks’ power on the Persians started the Hellenistic Civilization. Alexander the Great became more Persian because the Persians were no longer his enemy. It was a new life for him. The Persians were influenced by Alexander more, though.

            In conclusion, power does corrupt. It causes severe things to happen. Some people ignore their morals just to become more powerful. Alexander the Great changed after his corruption and lacked integrity to the Greeks after he became allies with the Persians. After all, power was an important ambition that every leader wanted to have.