AYRTON
AND ALEXANDER
The
comparison of Ayrton Senna with Alexander the Great imposed itself to me
spontaneously. Decide for yourself how justified it is according to this
description of Alexander the Great’s personality by Greek writer Arrianos (cca
100 A.D.).
THE
PERSONALITY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT BY ARRIANOS
Alexandros
died in 114. Olympics (13. 6. 323 B.C.) when Hegesias was the archon in
Athens
. He lived for 32 years and
in the next year for 8 months according to Aristoboulos. He was king for 12
years and 8 months. He was well built, very persistent, bright and adroit,
extremely brave and ambitious, he loved danger most of all things and he
especially cared for gods. He was absolutely reserved in corporal pleasures and
from the spiritual ones he was only craving for fame. He was able to realise
with precision what should be done also in extremely ambiguous situations and he
could correctly deduce probable consequences of the current situation. With
outstanding understanding of things he introduced in his army perfect
organisation, arms and discipline. He was a true master in how he was able to
raise the morals of his soldiers, to fill them with hope and to breath their own
courage into them. In each situation which called for immediate reaction he was
extremely determined. He would use a situation which offered advantage in
battles so rapidly that the enemies found themselves helpless.
He
abode with his contracts and his duties to the last consequence but nevertheless
he was extremely careful not to be taken by surprise. For his own needs and fun
he didn’t spend at all but his generosity didn’t have limits when it came to
his friends.