Absolutley fantastic documentary, fascinating, enjoyed every second. Alexander, what an amazing and inspiring man. It does make you wonder, with all his feats, visions, ideas, bravery, if there was actually something divine or godly about him, who knows lol. Such an incredible story, since a child he dreamed of emulating his idols Achilles and Herakles in achieving eternal glory, for his name to last through the ages, and that he suceeded in. Megas Alexandros-The greatest Alexander of them all.
My opinion is that the Alexander The Great is one of the greatest characters in history.He is the bigest military commander and startegist in history.This is the one of the best Wood's documentaries( and Conquistadors too).I am very proud that i have a same name like him.Alexandros1821 thanks for these awesome videos.God bless you all! :)
Wood and his team have presented us some thing that many would dread to even think to create, while some might differ with the presented point of views on the intentions of Alexander or his ways of waging war or ruling his subjects and troops,yet the efforts of the makers of this documentary is exceedingly commendable. I loved it from the episode 1 to the last and seriously recommend it to those who like chronicles of our history,
Great documentary, thanks for posting. But Alexander was barbarian, killing everyone that stood in the way of his own ambition. Unworthy pupil of Aristotle.
Thank you very much for posting this great documentary Alexandros. I must say that after watching this it is fair to say that Alexander was indeed Great because his 'aura' was far beyond from the normal human being in any point in history. But it must be acknowledged too that such passion and dedication to elucidate us on his story comes from a great man too. So thank you very much for your epic journey, Michael Wood the Great ; )
I admire our GREEK history and of course the 100% GREEK man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!! The facts is fact and no one can delete our true story as it is thrοughout all these years!!! So... all GREEKS all over the world keep our history alive and your spirit strong as the greek man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!!
I admire our GREEK history and of course the 100% GREEK man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!! The facts is fact and no one can delete our true story as it is thrοughout all these years!!! So... all GREEKS all over the world keep our history alive and your spirit strong as the greek man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!!
Apparently five peoples' hands were shaking so much at Alexander's unsurmountable life portrayed by M. Wood that they mistakingly pressed the dislike button !
Fantastic journey - broke in my new couch.. The most amazing part of the story of Alexander is that it actually happened. It is the most epic journey in the history of man even if a fraction of it is true. I can't agree more with the conclusion of Mr. Wood that our modern concept of the tyrant cannot be applied to Alexander - who left even his defeated enemies inspired by his will. I hope we get a proper Alexander movie someday - with lots of gay sex..
@Babalaya alexander mightve have committed atrocities but they werent out of the ordinary for the time and don't compare napoleon to stalin and hitler napoleon was a great man
@Babalaya Well--your opinion will likely not be popular, but I am basically in agreement. Alexander was no doubt a man of great individual courage, but the suffering his actions brought to countless thousands make it impossible for me to admire him. No doubt many benefits arose as a result of the contacts between cultures, but to believe his motives were benign would be highly naive. I have far more respect for eminent thinkers, artists, and others who enrich human life but do no harm.
@Belle19700 You're mistaken. His army slaughtered the city after he was shot in the lung with an arrow, he wasn't responsible. But besides that, your version of "honor" is very different from the actual version of honor back in those days.
@Yuilen no, you're mistaken. Alexander, and his army slaughtered their way through everything. They wiped out many cities, including children. Alexander's honor was like nazi honor, true to each other, true to a cause, neither included honor, to humanity, women, or children.
@Belle19700 Unless you have a major in World History and Ancient cultures, I believe I am not mistaken. Alexander and his armies plowed through the Persian Empire, but for the many, many cities that did not resist him, they spared their lives. Alexander came as a liberator, not as a conqueror. For the select few cities that did resist him, he did not kill the women and children, he enslaved them. I suggest you get off the internet and study this in a library, or in a college.
I cannot tell how much I adore this great historical documentary! Based on the proper sources with many quotes, without any cheap acting scenes and dull modern dialogue and moralizing; and the adventure to travel the way of Alexander again: If children should learn about Alexander the Great in schools this documentation should be showed to them as very few teachers could do better than Monsieur Wood!
great series...kudos to mr. wood...too bad alex was not a man of peace....what good to gain the whole world , and lose your own soul...all the horrors he caused to be inflicted, came to nothing in the end...
You could imagine that, if Alexander would have stayed alive than and decided to have gone west later, the western part of Europe wouldn't have been conquered from the Romans, but instead from the Greeks.
History could have looked so different !
No gladiators and no Vatican city .
Maybe we'd all still be worshipping the old Greek Gods now...
Macedonia is and will always be Greek.. Not talking about the land of where Skopje currently is.. but the Name, History and Ancestors that were born from the lands of once upon a time glorious Greece..Macedonia is Greek put that in your minds..
Sorry I just heard the ending and I could not resist. It was a different time, he fought based on his belief of the Gods. Well I`m glad those days are over, lol
I`m guessing in those days you could either sit still and wait to be attacked or attack yourself. I wont say it.
Maybe Alexander conquered kingdoms to be remember that was his work, `Remember us he said`
Remember the Greatest of all time for all time, In the end he did good anyways.
Alexander was a mass murderer who killed people by the thousands. Crucified entire villages, killed even his half brother who was an infant at the time. All for what his children were mostly failures, his mother was executed and his kingdom was eventually overtaken by the Romans.
In his defense however he defeated Darius the first mass murdering conqueror so don`t blame the Ancient Macedonian Greek(s). Respect him for he was cunning, brave and from all accounts a hell of a public speaker.
You have to remember about Alexander, this was a man of HIS time, the age of Heroes was still alive, and Personal glory was greater than any wealth for most men of this age.. and Persia had it coming! hehe
killing and genociding thousands of peoples,raping their womens is that make him great!?, lol he dont even deserve the title of great he is "Alxender the jerk"! may God burn his soul in hell forever!
excellent, one of the best documentaries i have seen on Alexander. I love Micheal Wood's enthusiasm for the subject, and his great wealth of knowledge.
@afay After loosing to porus he was not allowed to go back from the same route he came.ghe did not give back porus his empire aftger defeating him ,bugt he lost and send by porus in wilderness of india.
good end to cynical tyrant by great king purushottam.
What a tale! A man's ambitions lead him to the far reaches of the world. A boy becomes a man through a long journey of conquest and experiences all those of which humans speak of with a unique intensity and passion. The most extraordinary of men and yet the most humane.
no to my eyes he fought for Personal glory. to be the supreme master of known world. for a man to wield such power would certainly surpass any heroe's glory.
I feel like one of those greek soliders of Alexander in spirit. I feel as if I had done a great journey without moving from my chair... & I've the sensation of having learnt almost as if I had done it. Thanks Mr. Wood for reviving to me Alexander's feat, that has brought to my mind remembers of myself with 12 years old reading into reverie Alexander's history on summer days in Spain, without taking account neither of the hot nor the hunger. I'm in debt with you forever.
"Neither Aristobulus nor Ptolemy has given an account differing much from the preceding. Some authors, however, have related that his Companions asked him to whom he left his kingdom; and that he replied, "To the best." Others say, that in addition to this remark, he told them that he saw there would be a great funeral contest held in his honour. " - Arrian; an amazing documentation, without the cheap-misplaced playing scenes of now! I have long looked for it and now found it again!
I watched the whole documentary at the same time n it took me like around 5 hours n i enjoyed it a whole lot . nice job brother Michael wood . Salam to all ..
I remember the time this documentary was aired on BBC, back in mid 90s. I saw it then in India. I'll buy the DVD vesion of it, inshallah. Perhaps the best documentry I have ever seen. I wish there was a train journey, for such a tour - In the footsteps of Alexander - for us ordinary folks! ;-D Salaam
huge elephants coming straight at them. Imagine standing there with a spear or a short sword and seeng a huge fucking elephant charging at you. And still having the balls not to turn and run and face the elephants charge. AND WIN !!! Truly those soldiers back then were some of the toughest and hardest fighters of all time. And yet Alexander was a benevolent conqueror. This is why he's name will live on till the end of time.
History is always renewing and repeating itself! Modern "pharaos" small and great, should have a good reading of mankind's history and analize in depth the consequences of power and greed! No one is invincible! and no one is inmortal! Thank you BBC for your investment in culture!
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I have a question for all people here. please let me know, why Alexander who is admired by BBC couldn't be emperor for longer than 7 years and his power and empire and all his ruthlessness in killing civils and setting cities and civilization and Greates Palace and center of demecrocy, Persopolice, on fire disintegrated after 7 years. why was he and his way endured for 7 years? It is ridicule!!
Somethings matter to different people. I personally believe, that Alexander is awesome and deserves the name great. Someone else might think he was an earlier version of Hitler. A lot of people really get into this stuff though and love to freak out about things. Just because I read the sources more carefully than most other people doesn't mean I need to scream in other's faces about it =P.
Whoever is behind the scenes in having this documentaries be available here, thank you a bunch. All are awesome!! I went throught the whole journey. Maybe Mr Wood is right when saying let the Gods judge Alexander. Someone else posted a note here saying that Alexander was the father of Globalization, I liked that too. Once again thank you. Keep up doing a great job!!
A fabulous documentary, and all must remember that he lived in a time different than our own, and yes, there were some questionable acts, but all kings, were conquerers, in centuries before and after his, and war even today in what we called modern times, it is still as violent, and the leaders now sit far away, out of harms way...
If you enjoyed this, track down the torrent or his 'In search of Troy' from the 1970's. One of the first tv docus he did and some of the shots of Istanbul and Turkey are out of another era.
Alexander must have accomplished things we still know nothing about today. How can one man be known throughout the world, and loved by his contempories, be idolized in Rome & Eqypt, with people from all over to visit his tomb, and be as loved 1000 years after his death, if he was only what they wrote about him....Popes, and rabbies took his name, and other rulers imitated him.
He also built great cities, and maintained a kingdon with laws to protect the people.
This is perhaps the best documentary I have ever seen. It is impossible to speculate on him as a person because he was bigger than life. The era of Greek expansion, that we in the West call Hellenistic, was a period so profound and complex that most are not aware of it as even being Greek. As for commentary by others on his invasions and brutal acts against the conquered, look at what is going on today and tell me in what way we are superior to the ancient Greeks, Persians, Indians, etc.
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Was he really a great explorer, discoverer or just another invader? I mean the kingdoms he conquered after Persia, he had no quarrels with them...he thrust war on peaceful inhabitants of Central and South Asia. May be this "unifying the world argument" was drummed up by Greek historians to justify his conquests. History's written by the victor you know...!
So wont "Alexander the great invader" be more appropriate then...and if thats true then how is he different from Genghis Khan, Attila or Tamerlane...?
Different eras, different cultures, different mind sets---anyway, alexander isn't concidered great by all as the documentary said and the same goes for Genghis Khan who is thought of as a great hero by the present day Mongols as well as others
He is different because unlike them he didn't ravage and annihilate every city he conquered, He even let many of the Kings he fought and defeated retain their crown and kingdom, He promoted unity among his conquered peoples he tried to break down cultural and tribal divisions.
how can you compare the two? are you stupid?one civilized the world, a man of learning leading an army, the others were barberians, leading a bunch of mongol savages.
NO i am not stupid. Thanks for your flowery language!
And yes you could call waging war unnecassirily with peaceful folks as barbaric too. I guess as they were Asian and Alexander a Western u coudl call it civilizing them. Pity a lot many of them got killed in the process. Right? I have nothing Alexander. I think his military genius was unparalleled. But waging war on peaceful folks. That does make him a barbarian and no different than an Attila or Genghis Khan..!
Not many people know this, But Alexander tryed to Suprass the Gods themselfs and Achive Immortailty. And you know what? He did. His legasy lived though out the ages, His victorys in 100s of battles where not forgoten but praised. The passage of time did not effect him and his fame grew. He atained Immortailty though his heroic deeds and will be known forever.
I wouldn't buy so much of Arrian's BS in this. Even the Gaugamela battle was 45,000 greeks vs about 50,000 - 120,000(source dependent) persians. Nothing historically extraordinary. Against porus, he barely managed winning agaisnt a small army of 20,000. He lost a third of his army in that one. What impresses me is his endurance if anything, how he fought war after war and still kept going. But to compare him to the tales of greek gods and personalities like hercules I think would be foolish.
i actually have the book for this documentary, which i have read many times over. The documentary was just awesome to watch as the book was awesome to read.
just imagine what he would do more if he didnt die so early...He was planning to go west, Rome, Northern Africa, Northern Europe etc...This man was many years front of his time. He wanted to unify all the world. Open minded, risky, explorer, antiracist, brave, commander, visioner, a true leader.
Greece has many historical great figures but Alexander for sure is in the first places....
Within 10 years after Alexander's death many of the well known commanders & soldiers will parish. Perdiccas, Leonnatus, Craterus, Eumenes, Meleager, Antipater, and I'm pretty sure Polyperchon too; all meet the gates of Hades. Which leaves Olympias, Antigonus & his son Demetrius, Seleucus, Alexander son of Polyperchon, Lysimachus, Ptolemy & Cassander & their sons to continue the wars of the Successors. The Romans will eventually lay claim & conquer their kingdoms one-by-one.
Wow!! What a wonderful documentary!!! Thanks for BBC and Micheal Wood for such a fantastic production. I felt transported back in time. Thanks so much, Alexandros for your help in bringing happiness to so many of us. May you and those around you live a long happy life!!!!
What a truly Amazing documentary..thank u for takin the time to put this on and help us in furthering our knowledge of this legendary man. What a thought.....if civilisation is still going on in a thousand years Alexanders story will still be told.
What is the name of song on 4:50?
MandaNS93 1 week ago
Absolutley fantastic documentary, fascinating, enjoyed every second. Alexander, what an amazing and inspiring man. It does make you wonder, with all his feats, visions, ideas, bravery, if there was actually something divine or godly about him, who knows lol. Such an incredible story, since a child he dreamed of emulating his idols Achilles and Herakles in achieving eternal glory, for his name to last through the ages, and that he suceeded in. Megas Alexandros-The greatest Alexander of them all.
robelwell88 1 month ago 5
Thanks alot. I have watched the entire docu, What an amazing story and man
Stefanoitch 1 month ago 2
Thank you for posting!!! i watched them all!! i need more Michael Wood Docs!!!
rickpcp 1 month ago 2
Thanks so much for posting. This is what Youtube should be.
wigarmy 1 month ago 2
june is my birth month
capadom 1 month ago
epic documenatry michael wood
innit27 2 months ago 2
My opinion is that the Alexander The Great is one of the greatest characters in history.He is the bigest military commander and startegist in history.This is the one of the best Wood's documentaries( and Conquistadors too).I am very proud that i have a same name like him.Alexandros1821 thanks for these awesome videos.God bless you all! :)
MandaNS93 3 months ago 4
except for india ( and China) he conquered whole of known world in 15 years.
But killing undefeatable Swat people s children and marching his army in night on swats was pathetic by all means.
anurag4390 3 months ago 2
not to happy with his conclusion, yet it is his...great show
goldcashout 3 months ago
The Greatest man that ever lived! He's my Supreme, Ultimate Idol! As he is the Supreme Warrior!
MikeSV1989 3 months ago in playlist BBC - In the footsteps of Alexander The Great
Wood and his team have presented us some thing that many would dread to even think to create, while some might differ with the presented point of views on the intentions of Alexander or his ways of waging war or ruling his subjects and troops,yet the efforts of the makers of this documentary is exceedingly commendable. I loved it from the episode 1 to the last and seriously recommend it to those who like chronicles of our history,
khurshidanwer9955 4 months ago
Thank you.
Heinekeem 5 months ago in playlist In the footsteps of
Great documentary, thanks for posting. But Alexander was barbarian, killing everyone that stood in the way of his own ambition. Unworthy pupil of Aristotle.
dingane 5 months ago
Awesome documentary, thanks for sharing, and good sharing this adventure with the rest of you *thumbs up*
zeigfryd 9 months ago in playlist Alexander 2
Thank you very much for posting this great documentary Alexandros. I must say that after watching this it is fair to say that Alexander was indeed Great because his 'aura' was far beyond from the normal human being in any point in history. But it must be acknowledged too that such passion and dedication to elucidate us on his story comes from a great man too. So thank you very much for your epic journey, Michael Wood the Great ; )
Rockshift999 11 months ago 2
awesome video!
blitzgame1 11 months ago 6
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I admire our GREEK history and of course the 100% GREEK man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!! The facts is fact and no one can delete our true story as it is thrοughout all these years!!! So... all GREEKS all over the world keep our history alive and your spirit strong as the greek man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!!
GEORGE21GREECE 1 year ago
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I admire our GREEK history and of course the 100% GREEK man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!! The facts is fact and no one can delete our true story as it is thrοughout all these years!!! So... all GREEKS all over the world keep our history alive and your spirit strong as the greek man ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!!
GEORGE21GREECE 1 year ago
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A tyrant, who for his personal glory, killed 100 thousands.
indianspartacus 1 year ago
Alexander lived 32 or 33 years but his name lives on and he is still talked about today..and thats exactly what he wanted..for his name to live on.
Long live Alexander the Great.
Afgsusan1 1 year ago 12
@Afgsusan1 33 years, just like Jesus Christ...
DEMES76 5 months ago
@Afgsusan1 33 years, just like Jesus Christ...
DEMES76 5 months ago
Apparently five peoples' hands were shaking so much at Alexander's unsurmountable life portrayed by M. Wood that they mistakingly pressed the dislike button !
Thessalonik1 1 year ago 35
the quality of life is not commensurate to its length.
short life but eternal glory!
hepatitis 1 year ago 14
Fantastic journey - broke in my new couch.. The most amazing part of the story of Alexander is that it actually happened. It is the most epic journey in the history of man even if a fraction of it is true. I can't agree more with the conclusion of Mr. Wood that our modern concept of the tyrant cannot be applied to Alexander - who left even his defeated enemies inspired by his will. I hope we get a proper Alexander movie someday - with lots of gay sex..
musthatedogs 1 year ago
this documentary is done with some mighty heart...
not like the one of alexander´s...he was a "great" manipulator and brutal murderer...a megaloniac similar to napoleon, hitler and stalin.
R.I.P all you had to díe because of him !!!
Babalaya 1 year ago 5
@Babalaya alexander mightve have committed atrocities but they werent out of the ordinary for the time and don't compare napoleon to stalin and hitler napoleon was a great man
stump229 1 year ago 12
@Babalaya Well--your opinion will likely not be popular, but I am basically in agreement. Alexander was no doubt a man of great individual courage, but the suffering his actions brought to countless thousands make it impossible for me to admire him. No doubt many benefits arose as a result of the contacts between cultures, but to believe his motives were benign would be highly naive. I have far more respect for eminent thinkers, artists, and others who enrich human life but do no harm.
DiGiTaLdAzEDM 1 year ago 3
The Glory seeker life is the most valuable...
Szuperpocok 1 year ago 15
EFKHARISTO PHILAE MOU.
MAORITRIX 1 year ago 16
Simply, the GREATEST presentation POSSIBLE!
On a scale of 1-10 (and I never award 10's)... I'm giving THIS a TEN!!!
kingofmb1 1 year ago 25
Hust great documentary, incredible, he lived fast and died fast. His name wil be knwn as long as there is humans on this Earth.
carlosepech 1 year ago 12
one hell of a series thanks host
roeKY 1 year ago 13
he might be so happy to come back to iran after that hard warm india and tis people and there belives
AFGRULZ26 1 year ago 5
Excellent documentary. Thanks for posting. :-)
Nimzomyth68 1 year ago 10
beautifully told...hats off to Michael Wood & BBC.
aviksan 1 year ago 9
Great videos. We must never forget that Alexander slaughtered children. Can there ever be any honor in murder? I don't think so.
Belle19700 1 year ago
@Belle19700 You're mistaken. His army slaughtered the city after he was shot in the lung with an arrow, he wasn't responsible. But besides that, your version of "honor" is very different from the actual version of honor back in those days.
Yuilen 1 year ago
@Yuilen no, you're mistaken. Alexander, and his army slaughtered their way through everything. They wiped out many cities, including children. Alexander's honor was like nazi honor, true to each other, true to a cause, neither included honor, to humanity, women, or children.
Belle19700 1 year ago
@Belle19700 Unless you have a major in World History and Ancient cultures, I believe I am not mistaken. Alexander and his armies plowed through the Persian Empire, but for the many, many cities that did not resist him, they spared their lives. Alexander came as a liberator, not as a conqueror. For the select few cities that did resist him, he did not kill the women and children, he enslaved them. I suggest you get off the internet and study this in a library, or in a college.
Yuilen 1 year ago 4
@Belle19700
You really hate us dont you ?
niettevragen 1 year ago
I am fully thrilled to see this documentary by Mr Wood. Great work, congratulations again !
MrGanganagar 1 year ago 6
he conquered the world yet he lost the battle for hi soul.
standingByHim 1 year ago 4
He was extremely passionate. So, passionate, which we can call madness and yes he was a confused person!!
artistdigital 1 year ago 4
im sad that he died
jayjay042298456 1 year ago 2
thanks for this, i can use this in my education..!
robiisan 1 year ago 4
Thanks for sharing this awesome documentary!!!
sharkT3 2 years ago 5
Michael Wood is just epic
thanks for uploading this!
steveali55 2 years ago 9
I cannot tell how much I adore this great historical documentary! Based on the proper sources with many quotes, without any cheap acting scenes and dull modern dialogue and moralizing; and the adventure to travel the way of Alexander again: If children should learn about Alexander the Great in schools this documentation should be showed to them as very few teachers could do better than Monsieur Wood!
GreatGrumbledook 2 years ago 11
very interisting i never saw alexsander this way.5/5 great show.
REDTEROR 2 years ago 10
outstanding show, thanks for the upload!
BonnieBlueFlag1314 2 years ago 12
thanks, few years since i watched that. amazing documentary.
henkecelt 2 years ago 11
the resemblance of Michael Wood to the bust of alexander is amazing....
berjah1 2 years ago 10
great series...kudos to mr. wood...too bad alex was not a man of peace....what good to gain the whole world , and lose your own soul...all the horrors he caused to be inflicted, came to nothing in the end...
berjah1 2 years ago 9
he had burnt down his own house...
berjah1 2 years ago
good report
qari0aryana 2 years ago 9
I wonder whether Micheal wood was Alexander the Great in one of his previous births !.
That is why he took the trouble to go 20,000 miles following Alexander's foot steps, this birth !
sahajad 2 years ago 5
You could imagine that, if Alexander would have stayed alive than and decided to have gone west later, the western part of Europe wouldn't have been conquered from the Romans, but instead from the Greeks.
History could have looked so different !
No gladiators and no Vatican city .
Maybe we'd all still be worshipping the old Greek Gods now...
skulltull 2 years ago 5
You know your History : )
Yes. He would have crushed the fledgling Roman Republic and we would have had a Pan Hellenic World Rule.
Weep. But Alas. It was not to be.
StacyatLife 2 years ago 7
That movie with colin ferral was shit. this was FAR more enjoyable
Aprilshowersss 2 years ago 3
Macedonia is and will always be Greek.. Not talking about the land of where Skopje currently is.. but the Name, History and Ancestors that were born from the lands of once upon a time glorious Greece..Macedonia is Greek put that in your minds..
Trelastomyalo 2 years ago 2
TRULY EPIC DOCUMENTARY!!!!!!!!
alynchrys 2 years ago 3
Beautifull and touching, simply AWESOME
Thanks a lot !!
ronqunardi 2 years ago 3
this documentary was just awesome! thanks!
grandmaster11x 2 years ago 5
Sorry I just heard the ending and I could not resist. It was a different time, he fought based on his belief of the Gods. Well I`m glad those days are over, lol
I`m guessing in those days you could either sit still and wait to be attacked or attack yourself. I wont say it.
Maybe Alexander conquered kingdoms to be remember that was his work, `Remember us he said`
Remember the Greatest of all time for all time, In the end he did good anyways.
skyWalkerWorks 2 years ago 3
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Alexander was a mass murderer who killed people by the thousands. Crucified entire villages, killed even his half brother who was an infant at the time. All for what his children were mostly failures, his mother was executed and his kingdom was eventually overtaken by the Romans.
In his defense however he defeated Darius the first mass murdering conqueror so don`t blame the Ancient Macedonian Greek(s). Respect him for he was cunning, brave and from all accounts a hell of a public speaker.
skyWalkerWorks 2 years ago
we the Druze belive that he is one of our gods.... my lord alexander
timurlenk888 2 years ago 4
You have to remember about Alexander, this was a man of HIS time, the age of Heroes was still alive, and Personal glory was greater than any wealth for most men of this age.. and Persia had it coming! hehe
witchblade101 2 years ago 4
killing and genociding thousands of peoples,raping their womens is that make him great!?, lol he dont even deserve the title of great he is "Alxender the jerk"! may God burn his soul in hell forever!
legharibaloch1 2 years ago
Great documentary. Thank you for uploading.
cherand1 2 years ago
Great video. Thank you for uploading it - grazie!!
paolonpaolon 2 years ago 2
What a brilliant documentary. Thank you for uploading this, it was fascinating.
rhinseout 2 years ago 6
Just got the time to finish this documentary today !
And boy was it worth it !!! Kudos, once of the best pieces of historical recitals I've chanced to see yet !
Thanks !
GRmegas 2 years ago 4
Very interesting videos!
Ulf
Caecarulf 2 years ago 13
thank you very much for posting such a wonderful ducomentary. once a gain thanks Mr wood for visionary
bryana28 2 years ago 33
Gripping, epic tale. Brilliantly told by M. Wood. This is how history should be taught. Thanks for uploading.
KyokushinStudent 2 years ago 31
excellent, one of the best documentaries i have seen on Alexander. I love Micheal Wood's enthusiasm for the subject, and his great wealth of knowledge.
afay 2 years ago 52
@afay After loosing to porus he was not allowed to go back from the same route he came.ghe did not give back porus his empire aftger defeating him ,bugt he lost and send by porus in wilderness of india.
good end to cynical tyrant by great king purushottam.
anuraggosain 3 months ago
@anuraggosain hahaha yah right xD you are from india that explains all
StraightJohn19 3 months ago
What a tale! A man's ambitions lead him to the far reaches of the world. A boy becomes a man through a long journey of conquest and experiences all those of which humans speak of with a unique intensity and passion. The most extraordinary of men and yet the most humane.
faithlessgr 2 years ago 50
no to my eyes he fought for Personal glory. to be the supreme master of known world. for a man to wield such power would certainly surpass any heroe's glory.
bakurenzo 2 years ago 41
Alexander fought for the glory of GREECE!!
Nightmonkey17 2 years ago 78
for the glory of Macedonia and his ego, actually...
alynchrys 2 years ago
I feel like one of those greek soliders of Alexander in spirit. I feel as if I had done a great journey without moving from my chair... & I've the sensation of having learnt almost as if I had done it. Thanks Mr. Wood for reviving to me Alexander's feat, that has brought to my mind remembers of myself with 12 years old reading into reverie Alexander's history on summer days in Spain, without taking account neither of the hot nor the hunger. I'm in debt with you forever.
SertoriusMagnus 2 years ago 98
thanks for uploading this documentary. michael wood did a great job. very enlightening.
zari0506 2 years ago 51
thanks for this kind of documentary..the world need this kind of documentary to see what is good and bad in time of war
gels1227 2 years ago 46
epic is truly an ideal word to use for this documentary ! micheal wood is quite the visionary.
Afgomar619 2 years ago 35
epic documentary.
thank you for posting.
ΧΑΙΡΕ.
kertran 2 years ago 27
great series. thanks for posting
tompinoyger 2 years ago 25
"Neither Aristobulus nor Ptolemy has given an account differing much from the preceding. Some authors, however, have related that his Companions asked him to whom he left his kingdom; and that he replied, "To the best." Others say, that in addition to this remark, he told them that he saw there would be a great funeral contest held in his honour. " - Arrian; an amazing documentation, without the cheap-misplaced playing scenes of now! I have long looked for it and now found it again!
GreatGrumbledook 2 years ago 22
Others believe he actually said "Craterus" on his death-bed, but, Craterus being a less influent general...shit happened.
alynchrys 2 years ago 2
@alynchrys: I even muse if the realm would have remained once much longer even if Alexander would have lived a few years longer...
GreatGrumbledook 2 years ago 4
I watched the whole documentary at the same time n it took me like around 5 hours n i enjoyed it a whole lot . nice job brother Michael wood . Salam to all ..
TruthExposed123 3 years ago 21
If you enjoyed this, check out his earlier documentary entitled 'In Search of Troy'. Its every bit as magical ..
cgavin1 3 years ago 19
I remember the time this documentary was aired on BBC, back in mid 90s. I saw it then in India. I'll buy the DVD vesion of it, inshallah. Perhaps the best documentry I have ever seen. I wish there was a train journey, for such a tour - In the footsteps of Alexander - for us ordinary folks! ;-D Salaam
zsam22 3 years ago 15
try 5:28
mbtemlett 3 years ago 11
5:30 --> You should correct the mileage in the info box from 2,000 miles to 20,000 miles... :-)
Great documentary! enjoyed it very much!!!
mbtemlett 3 years ago 25
duely noted, thank you :p
alexandros1821 3 years ago 5
Does anybody knows what is the name of the greece orchestra who sings at the end and what is the name of the song?
Great documentry, thanks Alexandros
Amadeuxxl 3 years ago 15
When Alexander fought Porus, he's troops faced
huge elephants coming straight at them. Imagine standing there with a spear or a short sword and seeng a huge fucking elephant charging at you. And still having the balls not to turn and run and face the elephants charge. AND WIN !!! Truly those soldiers back then were some of the toughest and hardest fighters of all time. And yet Alexander was a benevolent conqueror. This is why he's name will live on till the end of time.
saggy200 3 years ago 17
THank you Michael Wood for the Great Documentary. Yak Jahaan Tashakur.
zaash007 3 years ago 10
thank you! alexander was from another time.
forget the bigotry. when will we learn??
musicisakey 3 years ago 6
I so much loved this documentary. Michael Wood is great, you should see his series Conquistadors, great stuff.
AllMyTrials 3 years ago 7
History is always renewing and repeating itself! Modern "pharaos" small and great, should have a good reading of mankind's history and analize in depth the consequences of power and greed! No one is invincible! and no one is inmortal! Thank you BBC for your investment in culture!
guruartist 3 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I have a question for all people here. please let me know, why Alexander who is admired by BBC couldn't be emperor for longer than 7 years and his power and empire and all his ruthlessness in killing civils and setting cities and civilization and Greates Palace and center of demecrocy, Persopolice, on fire disintegrated after 7 years. why was he and his way endured for 7 years? It is ridicule!!
msnambakhsh 3 years ago
Don't ask the people here. Ask the historians.
lelatina 3 years ago 5
yawn.i get so horny at this time of day.
stop fighting pls. make love not drama. rC
0dw5720 3 years ago 5
It's hilarious that these people are so bigoted that they're arguing over events that took place over 2000 years before their reckoning.
tepsaj 3 years ago 6
Somethings matter to different people. I personally believe, that Alexander is awesome and deserves the name great. Someone else might think he was an earlier version of Hitler. A lot of people really get into this stuff though and love to freak out about things. Just because I read the sources more carefully than most other people doesn't mean I need to scream in other's faces about it =P.
Alexandros1294 2 years ago 4
I would have loved to have fought beside Alexander The Great.
Great Story!
JBaker29 3 years ago 19
I remember seeing this documentary being advertised on TV many years ago but never got to see it.
Awesome documentary!
Thanks for posting it.
justme154 3 years ago 19
Does anyone know what the Greek folk song at the end is called? I couldn't find it anywhere in google .. Basilias Alexandros?
cgavin1 3 years ago 16
Whoever is behind the scenes in having this documentaries be available here, thank you a bunch. All are awesome!! I went throught the whole journey. Maybe Mr Wood is right when saying let the Gods judge Alexander. Someone else posted a note here saying that Alexander was the father of Globalization, I liked that too. Once again thank you. Keep up doing a great job!!
MrJNeri 3 years ago 20
interesting
way2funky4u2 3 years ago 8
A fabulous documentary, and all must remember that he lived in a time different than our own, and yes, there were some questionable acts, but all kings, were conquerers, in centuries before and after his, and war even today in what we called modern times, it is still as violent, and the leaders now sit far away, out of harms way...
I would have been honored to live in his kingdom.
SUNFLOWER609 3 years ago 6
If you enjoyed this, track down the torrent or his 'In search of Troy' from the 1970's. One of the first tv docus he did and some of the shots of Istanbul and Turkey are out of another era.
cgavin1 3 years ago 5
Thanks, I will look into it !
SUNFLOWER609 3 years ago 11
Alexander must have accomplished things we still know nothing about today. How can one man be known throughout the world, and loved by his contempories, be idolized in Rome & Eqypt, with people from all over to visit his tomb, and be as loved 1000 years after his death, if he was only what they wrote about him....Popes, and rabbies took his name, and other rulers imitated him.
He also built great cities, and maintained a kingdon with laws to protect the people.
SUNFLOWER609 3 years ago 4
This is perhaps the best documentary I have ever seen. It is impossible to speculate on him as a person because he was bigger than life. The era of Greek expansion, that we in the West call Hellenistic, was a period so profound and complex that most are not aware of it as even being Greek. As for commentary by others on his invasions and brutal acts against the conquered, look at what is going on today and tell me in what way we are superior to the ancient Greeks, Persians, Indians, etc.
aalexander928 3 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Was he really a great explorer, discoverer or just another invader? I mean the kingdoms he conquered after Persia, he had no quarrels with them...he thrust war on peaceful inhabitants of Central and South Asia. May be this "unifying the world argument" was drummed up by Greek historians to justify his conquests. History's written by the victor you know...!
jswaich 3 years ago
Well, he was Alexander. And his mind and moltives will never be ours to know.
zeezee15 3 years ago 5
..even if he was just an "invader" he was probably the best in history. crossed deserts, mountains, rivers, harsh terrain.
oscargurses 3 years ago 5
This has been flagged as spam show
So wont "Alexander the great invader" be more appropriate then...and if thats true then how is he different from Genghis Khan, Attila or Tamerlane...?
jswaich 3 years ago
Different eras, different cultures, different mind sets---anyway, alexander isn't concidered great by all as the documentary said and the same goes for Genghis Khan who is thought of as a great hero by the present day Mongols as well as others
SeekerOfTruth42 3 years ago 2
He is different because unlike them he didn't ravage and annihilate every city he conquered, He even let many of the Kings he fought and defeated retain their crown and kingdom, He promoted unity among his conquered peoples he tried to break down cultural and tribal divisions.
Gringoman911 3 years ago 14
how can you compare the two? are you stupid?one civilized the world, a man of learning leading an army, the others were barberians, leading a bunch of mongol savages.
mf231175 3 years ago 13
This has been flagged as spam show
NO i am not stupid. Thanks for your flowery language!
And yes you could call waging war unnecassirily with peaceful folks as barbaric too. I guess as they were Asian and Alexander a Western u coudl call it civilizing them. Pity a lot many of them got killed in the process. Right? I have nothing Alexander. I think his military genius was unparalleled. But waging war on peaceful folks. That does make him a barbarian and no different than an Attila or Genghis Khan..!
jswaich 3 years ago
thanks for posting really inspiring and informative
inhuman216 3 years ago 5
t y 4 uploading what do you want coffee ect.
lesliejoylavado 3 years ago 3
Not many people know this, But Alexander tryed to Suprass the Gods themselfs and Achive Immortailty. And you know what? He did. His legasy lived though out the ages, His victorys in 100s of battles where not forgoten but praised. The passage of time did not effect him and his fame grew. He atained Immortailty though his heroic deeds and will be known forever.
exodiaj 3 years ago 8
I wouldn't buy so much of Arrian's BS in this. Even the Gaugamela battle was 45,000 greeks vs about 50,000 - 120,000(source dependent) persians. Nothing historically extraordinary. Against porus, he barely managed winning agaisnt a small army of 20,000. He lost a third of his army in that one. What impresses me is his endurance if anything, how he fought war after war and still kept going. But to compare him to the tales of greek gods and personalities like hercules I think would be foolish.
parthsna 3 years ago
It was actually 47,000 against 250,000 Persians. That is actually amazing considering how the odds were staggering against him.
Alexandros1294 2 years ago 2
i actually have the book for this documentary, which i have read many times over. The documentary was just awesome to watch as the book was awesome to read.
yuss8884 3 years ago 4
Thanks very much for posting that ... Bless u ...
razamirza 3 years ago 3
Great series. Thanks so much for this.
darkarcra 3 years ago 5
very good documentary, thanks for posting
KenAugustino 3 years ago 5
just imagine what he would do more if he didnt die so early...He was planning to go west, Rome, Northern Africa, Northern Europe etc...This man was many years front of his time. He wanted to unify all the world. Open minded, risky, explorer, antiracist, brave, commander, visioner, a true leader.
Greece has many historical great figures but Alexander for sure is in the first places....
gparhs 4 years ago 8
great man.
great history
thanks for your time
Therockerdays 4 years ago 5
why would all great men die in an early age
mu7arrer 4 years ago 7
why would all great men die in an early age
mu7arrer 4 years ago 6
Thanks for putting this documentary up. It was most enlightening.
mandark2008 4 years ago 7
amazing.. unbelievable...
i wish i lived in his times.
FygeApoDoReVromokole 4 years ago 6
...no you don't..trust me
oscargurses 3 years ago 3
Alexandros, thx for taking the time to upoad this magnificent doco.
does anyone know of any good books on alexander, i ahve just read the books by manfredi but I am hungry for more
cheers..
cable97 4 years ago 5
If you havn't read "The Nature of Alexander" by Mary Renault, you're loosing out ! One of the best biographies to day, bar none.
Another deeply informative book that challenges what we know and uses the sources in depth is Robin Lane Fox's book "Alexander the Great" .
I highly would recommend both these fabulous peices.
Thessalonik1 4 years ago 5
And Alexander, who shall you give your empire to?.........."To the strongest."
LeonidasIII300 4 years ago 6
this was a fantastic documentary- thanks for sharing with us
fais30 4 years ago 4
Very Intresting! Well Done!
alexanderwotl 4 years ago 5
This was nice. Thank you for this one.
villeja 4 years ago 4
I loved watching all the series,very interesting...
mbtemlett 4 years ago 4
Within 10 years after Alexander's death many of the well known commanders & soldiers will parish. Perdiccas, Leonnatus, Craterus, Eumenes, Meleager, Antipater, and I'm pretty sure Polyperchon too; all meet the gates of Hades. Which leaves Olympias, Antigonus & his son Demetrius, Seleucus, Alexander son of Polyperchon, Lysimachus, Ptolemy & Cassander & their sons to continue the wars of the Successors. The Romans will eventually lay claim & conquer their kingdoms one-by-one.
1Conquistador 4 years ago 4
Not the indo-greek and bactrian-greek kingdoms...Hellenism would survive there for hundreds of years thereafter....
m3gas1 4 years ago 2
loved this documentary, tells so much more about Alexander than any other source i have seen.
kieranpaul 4 years ago 5
Thanks Alexandros for uploading this documentary, a real masterpiece.
jmb323 4 years ago 4
Wow!! What a wonderful documentary!!! Thanks for BBC and Micheal Wood for such a fantastic production. I felt transported back in time. Thanks so much, Alexandros for your help in bringing happiness to so many of us. May you and those around you live a long happy life!!!!
jumba146 4 years ago 3
I accidentally clicked 4 stars. I meant 5, of course! Thanks!
mason104 4 years ago 4
thanks,
i had a great time watching this.
Amazing he made his way back to Persia.
nishmat 4 years ago 3
Wow!
that was great!
amazing Documentary! :D
aronboylloyd123 4 years ago 3
I wish I could succeed in life as much as Alexander. Alexander was the greatest winner of all time.
Nightmonkey17 4 years ago 4
outstanding program
gengrant3 4 years ago 2
thanks for uploading this documentary:P I actually needed to watch it for a paper..and i could not find it anywhere...thanks..:P
Kiwilina 4 years ago 3
What a truly Amazing documentary..thank u for takin the time to put this on and help us in furthering our knowledge of this legendary man. What a thought.....if civilisation is still going on in a thousand years Alexanders story will still be told.
ChilliBeef 4 years ago 3