Alexander the Great#
Summary#
Machiavelli presents Alexander the Great as a model conqueror who swiftly mastered Asia because Darius’s kingdom was governed by a single lord with dependent servants rather than independent barons. This centralized structure meant that once Alexander defeated Darius in battle and the royal family was eliminated, no other power centers remained to challenge his rule. Alexander also serves as an exemplar of princely study, having famously imitated the heroic deeds of Achilles, demonstrating how wise rulers should model themselves on illustrious predecessors.