• ‘Plutarch’s biography of Alexander shows a greater understanding of the wider issues than Arrian’s more detailed history’. How far do you agree? Refer to both Arrian and Plutarch.

Emphasis on Alexander’s childhood shows Plutarch’s greater understanding of Alexander as it explores his background and gives an indication of what drove Alexander to become the man who conquered the Persian Empire. The beginning of Plutarch’s account looks at the birth of Alexander and implies his divine character; a recurring theme throughout Plutarch’s biography that he places significant emphasis upon when discussing the success and prowess of Alexander as a king. Arrian’s account, on the other hand says nothing about Alexander’s childhood. Unlike Plutarch’s biography, Arrian’s account is more of a military history which is concerned solely with the campaigns of Alexander and so the account starts with Alexander’s accession to the Macedonian throne. § Personality of Alexander – divine/demi-god or human§ Campaigns throughout Persia and beyond§ Death