Childhood |
Early on, Alexander demonstrated exceptional skills that would prove crucial later on during his campaigns. At an early age, Leonidas, a relative of Alexander's mother taught Alexander how to fight and ride a horse as well as to endure hardships that would typically take place during marches. Alexander's father, Philip, hired Lysimachus of Acarnania to teach Alexander reading, writing, and how to play the lyre. Alexander's most notable tutor was the Greek philosopher, Aristotle. Aristotle would have a great influence later in Alexander's life particularly during campaigns in that Alexander never forced the culture of Greece upon the inhabitants of the regions he conquered but would just introduce them similarly like the way Aristotle would teach his students. Leonidas' influence over Alexander can be seen with Alexander's physical stamina and skill with horses. Alexander's skill with horses can most evidently be seen with the taming of Bucephalus at a young age. Bucephalus was a horse that was deemed untamable by most. The fact that a young boy was able to tame a horse that many thought was impossible shows the greatness that Alexander was destined for right from the start.