Is it possible to measure the influence of Aristotle on Alexander the Great? Ancient sources and modern historians between speculation and historical criticism

Keywords: Aristotle, Alexander, Ancient sources.

Abstract

This article seeks to examine ancient accounts about the interaction between Aristotle and Alexander. It moreover proffers an interpretation of their interaction by two historians who carried out an encomiastic analysis of the king’s life: Robin Lane Fox (1973); and Peter Green (1991). To this end, this research is divided into three phases. First, it introduces its subject by taking into consideration some important premises regarding the data available about the life of the king and the philosopher. Second, it explores two of the most influent historiographical commentaries about them. Finally, this article analyzes Plutarch’ account which was consulted by these historians.

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Author Biography

Henrique Modanez de Sant'Anna, Universidade de Brasília (UnB). Brasília-DF, BR

Professor Associado de História Antiga na Universidade de Brasília. Doutor pela UnB com bolsa de doutorado do CNPq (GD, enquanto no Brasil) e da Capes (PDEE, atual PDSE) na Universidade da Califórnia, Berkeley, participou do Programme de Bourses de Recherche pour Jeunes Chercheurs à la Fondation Hardt (Suíça) e do Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program na Universidade Cornell (EUA). Foi Fellow in Hellenic Studies e Associate in Hellenic Studies no Harvard CHS (EUA), bem como pesquisador colaborador no Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem da Unicamp.

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Published
2023-03-14
How to Cite
Modanez de Sant’Anna, H. (2023). Is it possible to measure the influence of Aristotle on Alexander the Great? Ancient sources and modern historians between speculation and historical criticism. Dialogos, 26(3), 51-68. https://doi.org/10.4025/dialogos.v26i3.63373