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Alexander The Great

January 29, 2011 by · Comments Off on Alexander The Great 

Alexander The Great, Alexander III of Macedonia (20/21 July 356 – 10 / 11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great was a king of Macedonia, or Macedonia? A state in the northeastern Greece, and at the age of thirty was the creator of one of the greatest empires of ancient history, which stretches from the Mediterranean to the Himalayas. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time. Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander was educated by the famous philosopher Aristotle. In 336 BC he succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon to the throne after he was assassinated. Philip had brought most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian hegemony, using military and diplomatic means.

On the death of Philip, Alexander inherited a kingdom and a strong army experienced. He managed to be awarded the generalship of Greece, with its well-established authority, has launched plans for military expansion left by his father. In 334 BC, he invaded Persia ruled Asia Minor and began a series of campaigns ten years. Alexander broke the power of Persia in a series of decisive battles, including the battles of Issus and Gaugamela. Subsequently, he overthrew the Persian King Darius III and conquered the entire Persian Empire.i [>] Macedonian Empire now stretched from the Adriatic to the Indus.

Following his desire to reach the “end of the world and the Great Outer Sea”, he invaded India in 326 BC, but was finally forced to turn back by almost mutiny its troops. The death of Alexander in Babylon in 323 BC, not realizing a series of planned campaigns that began with the invasion of Arabia. In the years following the death of Alexander a series civil war tore apart his empire, which led to the formation of a number of States ruled by the Diadochi – Survivor General Alexander. Although he is best known for his vast conquests, lasting legacy of Alexander was not his reign, but cultural diffusion caused his conquests.

Regulation of Alexander of Greek colonists and culture in the east resulted in a new Hellenistic culture, aspects of which were still visible in the traditions of the Byzantine Empire until the mid 15th century. Alexander became a legendary hero in the classic mold of Achilles, and occupies an important place in history and myth of non-Greek and Greek culture. He became the measure against which the generals, even today, compare and military academies around the world continue to teach his exploits tactics. Ii [>]

Many Chinese today have chosen an English name to use in business, traveling, or simply to fill their character as a citizen of the world. Names like “Alexander” does not work well phonetically, however, and may add “pressure” on already busy lives.

“Alexander” is one of the most popular names in the world, perhaps because of the legendary exploits of Alexander the Great.

Although the Macedonian conqueror story made much of its glory over 2300 years ago, his name has lived in variants such as Ishkander (Sri Lanka), Eskender (Ethiopia), and Skënder (Albania) to name few. Even China has its own version of Alexander, known as Yalishanda (???? or????)… And this is a problem.

It seems that Yalishanda is a homonym for a phrase that means “under a mountain of pressure.” No parents want to saddle ideal nickname with their offspring, especially a boy born under China’s one child policy. I mean really, does the child have enough pressure on him from the start?

Even Chinese who are not named Yalishanda can “feel” Yalishanda. “I really feel the pressure now because I have to take care of my parents and the child while I work,” said Xiao Li, one of much Chinese sandwich generation caught between the needs of their parents and those of their children.

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