The Alexander Great

The name of Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) still lives in the legends of the East, and traces of his swift conquest are still stamped upon the fabric of Western Asia. His name is famous as a conqueror and as the King of Macedonia. Alexander the Great was born in the Pella region of Macedonia on July 20, 356 B.C., to King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympia. This young, dark-eyed and curly-haired prince was tutored by the great philosopher, Aristotle. Alexander the Great conquered half the known world in thirteen years. This ruler swept aside the mighty armies of the Persian Empire and established his rule as far as Punjab.

Alexander the Great was far more than a general and a leader of armies. His colossal victories were followed by sympathetic, understanding administration and had won the loyalty of the defeated. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill. Knowing that his death was nearing, he longed to see his mother's face. However, he realized that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his mother as he was far from his homeland. Alexander the great realized that all his wealth and his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword would not help him to save his life.

He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three

wishes, please carry them out without fail."

With tears flowing down their checks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

1) "My first desire is that", said Alexander, "my physicians alone must carry my coffin."

2) After a pause, he continued. "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury".

3) The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin".

All who were around were in tears. But, there was none who was brave enough to inquire the reasons for the wishes except for the favourite general. As a reply this great ruler said, "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor on this earth can really cure anybody. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted. The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the path to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life in greed for power, earning riches but I cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth. About my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world".

Leaving these three important lessons, this great conqueror let death conquer him.