# Alexander the Great — Dialogues character guide

> Alexander the Great in Dialogues by Seneca.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Alexander, King Alexander, Alexander of Macedon

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

The Macedonian conqueror who boasted he was never outdone in a contest of benefits, yet found in Diogenes a man from whom he could neither give nor take.

## Who they are

Alexander stands in Seneca's pages as the emblem of ambition that mistakes itself for greatness, an empire-builder whose pride stretches from Thrace to the unknown sea. His boast about never being worsted in generosity collapses before Diogenes, who surpasses him precisely by wanting nothing. That encounter exposes the difference between power that accumulates and virtue that needs no fortune, a distinction the dialogues return to again and again.

## Relationships

### [Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/hercules)

_psychological_

Alexander the Great is obsessed with emulating Hercules, viewing him as a divine role model.

### [Philip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/philip)

_family_

Alexander the Great is the son of King Philip II, their relationship defined by ambition and conflict.

## In the story

### [Book II: The Nature and Cure of Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-ii)

Mentioned as an example of being stirred by music, laying his hand on his weapons when Xenophantus sang.

### [The Nature of Anger: Voluntary or Involuntary?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ii)

Example of a person stirred by music, reaching for weapons.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxiii)

Praised for his trust in his physician Philip, drinking the medicine despite his mother's warning about poison, showing rare moderation and confidence in friendship.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvii)

Cited as a king who, despite Aristotle's education, killed his friend Clitus in anger and imprisoned Lysimachus with a lion.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxiii)

Depicted as a man who hurls lances at guests and exposes friends to wild beasts, embodying uncontrolled anger.

### [The Impregnable Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as having entered the walls of Babylon, which are inferior to the ramparts of the wise man.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxv)

Condemned for his cruelty, exemplified by throwing Lysimachus into a lion's den and taking pleasure in bloodshed.

### [Book II: On Clemency and the Nature of Mercy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-ii)

Referenced in the context of great rulers and their actions.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiii)

Accepts Corinthian citizenship, is compared unfavorably to Hercules as a brigand and desolator.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvi)

Presented a city to a man, but his gift is criticized as foolish and lacking proportion.

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-v)

Mentioned as boasting he was never worsted in benefits, but surpassed by Diogenes and Socrates.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iv)

Portrayed as possessing everything yet being inferior to Diogenes in the contest of benefits.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vi)

Boasted of never being worsted in a contest of benefits, but is contrasted unfavorably with Socrates and Diogenes.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ii)

Alexander is used as a negative example of insatiable greed, never satisfied despite vast conquests.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iii)

Cited as an example of covetousness whetted by fortune, following Bacchus and Hercules.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/alexander_the_great
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters