The first question to consider is what constitutes "greatness." There are no set standards, no checklist, to apply to a person, to determine if they are “great.” The simplest way I could conceive of deciding whether this title should apply to Alexander was to determine whether he was in any way superior to the rulers who preceded or followed his reign. The most obvious starting point for me is Alexander's vast accomplishments as a conqueror. Alexander inherited from his father an impressive army and a stable kingdom; he also followed his father's plans to invade Asia. Does this undermine his own achievements in the Macedonian army? I would say no. No matter the size of one's standing army or the level of training of one's standing army, there can be no success without some form of military leadership. Alexander began his military campaign and reign where his father left off. Whether this was his goal or not, it created a sense of normalcy for the men who were part of his father's regime. Alexander's position as a warrior king who stood side by side among his men also served to create respect among his peers. As Alexander conquered more Persian lands, he began to adopt the policies of the Persian rulers. Alexander's change in policies extended beyond simple political roles, he took into consideration the local gods in many of the lands he conquered. Eventually, Alexander brought people from conquered nations to serve under him. It is unclear whether Alexander intended to adopt these practices; whether he has adopted the policies he likes; or whether it adopted policies for political purposes. Whatever his intentions, Alexander's changes in leadership... middle of paper ...... here are few in history who can claim the military prowess, strange political maneuverings and overall lasting effect of the diffusion of a particular culture like Alexander. Alexander's exploits led to the spread of Greek culture across Asia and Africa. They even went so far as to impact the Romans who dominated Hellenistic Egypt. It left in its wake an expansion of territory and trade, with expanded trading ports and the export of the Greek political system. Christianity appeared with the Hellenization of the Jews and spread among Hellenized gentile communities. It seems impossible to list all the impacts of Alexander's empire. Ultimately, I must conclude that Alexander “fully deserves” the title “the Great.” Works Cited Worthington, Ian. Alexander the Great: a reader. New York: Routledge, 2012.