# Alexander the Great — Discourses character guide

> Alexander the Great in Discourses by Epictetus.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Alexander

**First appearance:** 0004-i-of-the-things-which-are-in-our-power-and-not-in-our-power

## Who they are

Macedonian conqueror, exemplar of ambition and worldly power.

## In the story

### [XXVIII: That We Ought Not to Be Angry with Men; and What Are the Small and the Great Things Among Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxviii-that-we-ought-not-to-be-angry-with-men-and-what-are-the-small-and-the-great-things-among-men)

Cited as an example: his real ruin was not the destruction of Troy but the loss of modesty, fidelity, and decency.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/book-ii)

Mentioned in relation to Diogenes' confidence in speaking to him.

### [On Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxii-on-friendship)

Cited for ordering the burning of Aesculapius's temples when his friend died.

## Links

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