ALEXANDER OF MACEDON (356-323 BC) Did he truly believe in his own divinity?

Divinity: the quality or state of being divine often capitalized
a divine being: as a God or Goddess.


The historical figure of Alexander the Great (.336-323 BC) is one surrounded by many questions concerning notions of his personal divinity, and his association with religion. There has been debate, throughout history, whether Alexander truly believed in his own divinity, or if he was just using this concept as a political propaganda tool. The point being made in this paper is the latter. Alexander used his skills as a military and political tactician to excerpt a smooth transition period from the previous rulers to himself; he knew it would be easier to gain the trust of the people if he chose to adapt his traditions.

Alexander was the son of king Philip of Macedon and his Molossian wife, queen Olympias. He was always aware of a lineage that apparently went back to Achilles on his mother’s side and Heracles on his father’s, certainly a heady genetic mix. This predis...