When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer

When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer

Plutarch, the ancient Greek historian and biographer, is known for his detailed accounts of the lives of famous figures from antiquity. One of his most famous works is "Parallel Lives," in which he compares the lives of notable Greeks and Romans. In this context, the quote "When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer" takes on a deeper meaning.

Plutarch's portrayal of Alexander the Great in his biography is one of a complex and ambitious leader who sought to conquer the known world. Alexander's conquests were legendary, as he expanded his empire from Greece to Egypt, Persia, and India. His military campaigns were marked by strategic brilliance and daring, and he was able to defeat formidable enemies with relative ease.

However, despite his success on the battlefield, Alexander was not satisfied. Plutarch suggests that Alexander's tears upon seeing the extent of his empire were not tears of joy, but rather tears of despair. The quote implies that Alexander had reached the limits of his ambition and that there were no more worlds left for him to conquer.

This interpretation of Alexander's emotional response to his conquests is in line with Plutarch's overall portrayal of the Macedonian king. Plutarch presents Alexander as a man driven by a relentless desire for power and glory, but also as a man who was ultimately consumed by his own ambition. Alexander's insatiable thirst for conquest led to his downfall, as he pushed himself and his army to the brink of exhaustion in pursuit of ever greater conquests.