Discourses on Livy · Character

Alexander the Great

Macedonian conqueror whose empire-building is compared to Roman methods.

minor

Also known as Alexander

First appearance: I

Alexander the Great's tie to Philip of Macedon is one of the pressures that moves Discourses on Livy—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Founder of Alexandria, used as an example of a city built by a prince for renown.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

Alexander the Great first appears in 0004 i.

With Philip of Macedon (family): Alexander the Great was the son of Philip of Macedon, inheriting his father's kingdom and military ambitions.

In I: Founder of Alexandria, used as an example of a city built by a prince for renown.

Later, in That the consecutive reigns of two valiant princes produce great results: and that well-ordered commonwealths are assured of a succession of valiant rulers by whom their power and growth are rapidly extended.: Cited as the son of Philip of Macedon, continuing the succession of valiant princes that led to world conquest.

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Character Web

18 connections

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Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Founders and Tyrants
Protagonist
Historical and Political Examples

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the Claudian censor, driven by the family’s ingrained haughti…

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Relationships

Philip of Macedon
family · ambivalent
Alexander the Great was the son of Philip of Macedon, inheriting his father's kingdom and… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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See Alexander the Great in I

In the story

Alexander the Great appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Founder of Alexandria, used as an example of a city built by a prince for renown.
That the consecutive reigns of two valiant princes produce great results: and that well-ordered commonwealths are assured of a succession of valiant rulers by whom their power and growth are rapidly extended.
Cited as the son of Philip of Macedon, continuing the succession of valiant princes that led to world conquest.
LVIII
Cited as a prince who committed cruel acts similar to those of an uncontrolled multitude, e.g., mourning Clitus.
Chapter X: The True Sinews of War
Mentioned in Livy's analysis and as a conqueror who defeated the wealthy Darius, illustrating that good soldiers prevail over treasure.
Chapter XXVII
Alexander initially rejected Tyre's submission, then after a costly siege offered terms, which the Tyrians foolishly refused, leading to their city's destruction.
XXVIII
Son of Philip; present at the wedding when Philip was killed.
XXXI
Mentioned as the Macedonian king who passed into Asia while his brother-in-law Alexander of Epirus went to Italy.
XIII
His death left the Macedonian army without a good leader, leading to restlessness.

Chapter companion notes

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See Alexander the Great in I