Here is a brief overview of what I've done so far, if you need anything clarified just let me know, I have used Ian Worthington who argues he doesn't deserve the title of the Great, such as the amount lives it cost at the siege at Tyre, his drunken rage which resulted in him killing a close friend, I also used Arrian who further illustrates his Alexander's military greatness, N.G.L Hammond who argues Alexander deserves the tittle because of his charisma and his charm, his sympathy and empathy towards his solider and his love to his family, Plutarch, who glories Alexander and I have finally used the Alexander Romance to illustrate how the mythical Alexander has been blurred with the "real" Alexander.
The underlying issue is that this will always be a subjective question. What truly makes a leader great? Is it acquisition of land? Is it benevolent yet strong leadership? Is it leadership which deviates from ethical norms in order to protect the state?
Alexander III of Macedon conquered much of the Persian territories, including Syria, Egypt and modern-day northern Iraq. Quite a feat for a young man (this was all before he was 25).
As a military commander he inspired loyalty; his army only once didn't follow him into battle in 13 years; this despite the daring nature of many of his attacks.
Additionally, he was tutored by Aristotle, giving him a rounded conception of science, medicine and philosophy. This meant when he was king of his conquered lands he had the mind to adopt foreign customs to lessen tensions of an ethnically diverse empire. He also had to the mind to set up an interconnected network of trade and commerce creating an affluent empire.
He has been noted as being reckless, especially with his own life, and with his soldiers. Thousands died in the march on India (which he started in the summer. Why? India is hot!), from heatstroke as much as the battle itself. Furthermore he was never able to achieve unity between the Macedonian's and the Persians, who were always at odds due to culture differences.
Tl;dr He did much to warrant the name, he also had his shortcomings. Subjective Question = Subjective Answer
