When we talk about Alexander the Great, everyone seems to have their own opinion. He stands at the crossroads of legend and history, reality and myth. His story leaves a vast open space to imagine, to shape, and to create who this man truly was.
I’ve read about him, watched movies, and even seen animations that brought parts of his life to the screen. In my mind, pieces of these stories have come together. Some might call him a hero. Others might call him reckless—or even ruthless. I’m not here to argue which is true. I’m here to share the Alexander the Great who has lived in my imagination.
To me, he was a leader who fought at the front line alongside his soldiers. A man driven to reach—or discover—the edge of the known world. Someone remarkably open-minded in the late 4th century BC, who encouraged inter-racial marriages in his empire.
And yet, I wonder—what made him “Alexander the Great”? Was it the belief that he was the son of Zeus? Was it the guidance of Aristotle, one of history’s greatest thinkers? Or was it the strong foundation built by his father, King Philip II?
I recently created a bookmark inspired by him, which you can find through the link below. This project made me unexpectedly happy. When I saw the portrait, it felt as if Alexander himself had stepped out of books and films to stand before me. For a moment, I felt as though I had opened a small doorway between history and the present.
Perhaps this is the true power of art—not just to express, but to create a bridge through time, allowing us to meet the figures/places which live in our imagination.
https://wanderingreadingnook.gumroad.com/l/alexander-bookmark