“How great are the dangers I face to win a good name in Athens.”
- July 20, 356 BC – June 10, 323 BC
- Born in Macedonia
- King of Macedonia
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Quote
“How great are the dangers I face to win a good name in Athens.”
Explanation
This quote, attributed to Alexander the Great, reflects his acute awareness of the importance of reputation, particularly among the Greeks, and more specifically in Athens, the cultural and intellectual heart of the Greek world. Though he was Macedonian, Alexander sought not only to conquer but to earn the esteem of Greek city-states, many of which had once opposed his father, Philip II. The remark reveals the emotional and political weight he placed on being honored in the eyes of those he considered the guardians of civilization and legacy.
The “dangers” he refers to are both literal—battlefield risks, political intrigues, and leadership burdens—and symbolic, touching on the tension between action and perception. To be remembered well in Athens was not just a matter of success, but of excellence (aretē), honor (timē), and civic virtue. Alexander was as concerned with how history would remember him as he was with immediate victory. This quote exemplifies his deeper ambition to be celebrated as a hero in the mold of Achilles or Pericles, not merely a conqueror.
In a modern context, the quote underscores how public recognition often demands private sacrifice. Whether in politics, entrepreneurship, or activism, individuals striving to build a legacy must confront real risks and intense scrutiny. It also points to the enduring truth that true greatness is not conferred by power alone, but by the judgment of thoughtful and discerning societies. To earn a “good name” in a place like Athens, even for a king, was a form of immortality.
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