The Bride of the Mediterranean

The Bride of the Mediterranean is the epithet given to the city of Alexandria, Egypt.

Note: an epithet is a term used as a descriptive substitute, such as The Great Emancipator for Abraham Lincoln, or The Big Apple for New York City.

Speaking of epithets, Alexander The Great is the epithet of Alexander III of Macedon, founder of Alexandria, which was, as you might have guessed, named after him.

Now, Alexander The Great is a historical name known across the world, his historical significance on par with the likes of Genghis Khan, Plato, and… Aristotle.

Aristotle was hired in 343 BC by the king of Macedon, Philip II, to tutor his son and heir to the throne, a 13 year old boy who would later be considered the greatest Greek conqueror to live, his name: Alexander.

While Alexander The Great only gained his title posthumously, his influence in the Mediterranean—and far beyond—is undeniable. By the time of his death in 323 BC, he had forged an empire that stretched from Greece to India, encompassing Egypt, Persia, and parts of Central Asia and founding more than 20 cities along the way, many of which still exist today. He expanded the Hellenic world (Hellenic culture: encompassing ancient Greek beliefs, customs, and ideas), shaping today’s world.

This was also a great victory for Aristotle, as his role as Alexander’s tutor allowed his philosophy and worldview (to learn more about the Peripatetic School: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle/) to spread through Alexander and his conquests.

Yet, for all of Alexander’s triumphs, his empire crumbled soon after his death in 323 BCE, as his generals divided it into warring factions.

So, maybe you won’t conquer the known world. But what will you leave behind that lasts longer than your time? Perhaps it’s not about the size of the empire, but the seeds you plant. Either way, through Aristotle’s teachings, Alexander did both.

Stay curious,

Alexio.