How Alexanders Relationship with Olympias Impacted His Achievement and Ultimate Downfall

Inspired by previous researches on the family heritage of Alexander the Great, this paper will focus on the relationship between Alexander and his mother, Olympias. It examines the influence Olympias has on Alexander in aspects of his virtuous qualities, political and military records, religious beliefs, and pioneering opinions about society, in chronological order. This paper is divided into three sections: Olympias influence on Alexander in his early years (from birth to ascendancy to the throne in 336 B.C.), the years of campaign (from 334 to 327 B.C.), and the last years of his life (from 327 B.C. to 323 B.C.). This paper highlights Alexanders precocious achievements, such as his military conquests, and factors leading to his ultimate demise, such as hubris and unrelenting exertions to promote ethnical integrations. Unlike most documentaries that place Olympias in the background, this paper recognizes her importance to Alexander as a source of his education and decision-making, and a woman ahead of her times with eminent aspiration and ability to achieving success.