Text written by WikiBrother Gabriel Brandino , from @moshinhell
Today we're going to explain once again about an Iron Maiden that's a true history lesson.
It's a shame that, even though it's one of the greatest songs Maiden , they never played it live. "Alexander The Great" obviously tells the story of Alexander the Great , in a fairly self-explanatory lyric.
"My son, get yourself another kingdom.
For this one I leave is too small for you."
The song begins with a phrase his father, King Philip II, told him when he was 16 years old:
“Near the East, in a part of ancient Greece,
in an ancient land called Macedonia,
was born the son of Philip of Macedon
. Legend says his name was Alexander.”
Alexander III of Macedon was born in 356 BC.
"At nineteen, he became king of Macedonia
And swore to liberate all of Asia Minor
Near the Aegean Sea in 334 BC
He completely defeated the armies of Persia"
He, who was mentored by the philosopher Aristotle until he was 16, assumed the throne after the assassination of his father, and commanded the Greek army in the conquest of Persia , and also in the invasion of the Achaemenid Empire , which ruled Asia Minor.
"The Egyptians also succumbed to the Macedonian king
And he founded the city called Alexandria"
He founded about twenty cities that bore his name, among them Alexandria , in Egypt .
"They did not go to India
Tired of combat, pain, and glory"
This is an incorrect passage in the song, but it does not diminish this classic in any way.
Alexander 's army did reach India , where they retreated and did not fight, but yes, they arrived.
"Alexander the Great,
his name struck fear into the hearts of men.
Alexander the Great
died of fever in Babylon."
Here is the refrain of the song, which exalted the name of Alexander , the second greatest conqueror of territories in all of history, second only to Genghis Khan .
His name indeed instilled fear in most armies, as he was considered the best military commander of his time and was never defeated in battle.
He died in 323 BC in the ancient palace of King Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon , at the age of 32, after days of fever, probably resulting from a night of drinking.
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