Arrian: The Campaigns of Alexander the Great question.

by mistgl88

I have been tasked with reading The Campaings of Alexander the Great and to answer the prompt: What ways does the text relate the deterioration of character through excess of power?

Let me start this by saying I don't want the answer, I'd rather find it on my own. What I do need is a little insight.

I'm little over one hundred pages in, so 1/4 through not counting the extras, and I have yet to come across and instance where Alexander made some egregious power crazed decision. I have found several instances of him, by Arrians account, being a pretty decent King and General.

I guess what I'm asking is do I need to read deeper into the material I have already covered, or is does this 'deterioration' of Alexander happen later on in the text? I know the question can be answered, otherwise it wouldn't have been asked. I'm just worried I am missing some greater meaning in events that I have already covered.

Thanks in advance for any insight provided!

friskydongo

The "deterioration" would happen later on in the text. Specifically after he defeats Darius and begins campaigning out in Baktria. He does make some mistakes in the time period you've likely covered already but I wouldn't attribute this to a deterioration of his character as a result of power.