ABSTRACT
Alexander III is arguably the most famous and most controversial figure from antiquity. The later legends and stories about Alexander affect the historical king. Influenced by his own intellectual and political background, Alexander is depicted in this work as an action man and a philosopher-king, whose mission was to impose Greek civilisation on the barbarian Persians. Late antiquity and the mediaeval era welcomed the warrior-king who combined military success with wisdom and unification. The ancient sources portray a variety of Alexander's for a number of reasons. So also do modern scholars, who are equally affected by the source problem, and especially by their own political and cultural backgrounds. The problem of separating the legendary Alexander from the historical affects the evaluation and appreciation of him. He brought down the Persian Empire and subdued Egypt, promoted Greek education and culture in his new empire, and was even worshipped as a god by some of his subjects.
