Alexander I of Macedon, also known as Alexander I the Philhellene ('friend of the Greeks') or 'The Wealthy', was king of ancient Macedon from around 498 to 454 BCE. He is known for the role he played in the second Persian invasion of Greece (480 BCE) during the Persian wars, in which, according to the Greek historian Herodotus, he secretly supported the Greeks against the Persians, but also for his participation in the Olympic Games and his attempt to expand his kingdom and reform the Macedonian army.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_I_the_Philhellene/.
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- Do you think Alexander I was really a secret ally of the Greeks?
- Why do you think Alexander wanted to join the Olympic Games?
- Was Alexander I more of a clever leader or a risky ruler?
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