塩野七生先生著作。アレクサンドロス大王の物語です。子供のころの家庭教師はアリストテレス。自分の頭で考えることを教えられ、それにカラダはスパルタ式で。出来上がっていますよね。
戦争には哲学者も同行していたんです。他には医者はもちろん、通訳も。若さゆえにただ先頭で突っ走っていただけではないことがわかります。準備万端。
なるべく血を流さないで戦い、勝った場合は相手方の王様の家族にも生活していける言うに配慮をする。兵士にはできるかぎり言葉をかける。味方へは敵の宝を譲り受けて配るなどの太い腹を見せます。
戦争に強かっただけでなく、アレクサンドリアという街を作り、図書館を作り、重要な文献を保存してみんなが学べるようにしたのも歴史にとっておおきな功績です。これもアリストテレスの教えなのでしょうか。
塩野先生がひとつひとつのシーンを鮮やかに描いていただき、一緒に旅をしているように感じることができました。
先生は最後に感謝しているけど、こちらこそ。人類の歴史の良さをまた知ることができた時間でした。
今の世界に大きな影響を与えてきたギリシア。こんどはヘレニズムを学びます。
The Story of the Greeks, Volume 4
A New Power: Seizing the World
Alexander
This is a work by Shiono Nanami, the story of Alexander the Great. His tutor in childhood was Aristotle, who taught him to think for himself, while his body was trained in the Spartan way. He was thoroughly prepared.
Even philosophers accompanied him into battle. Alongside them were doctors, of course, as well as interpreters. It’s clear that he wasn’t just charging ahead recklessly in his youth—everything was meticulously prepared.
He fought with as little bloodshed as possible, and when victorious, he showed consideration by ensuring that the families of the defeated kings could still live with dignity. He would speak to his soldiers as often as he could, and he showed generosity to his allies by sharing the spoils of the enemy. This broad-mindedness was one of his strengths.
Alexander wasn’t just powerful in war; he also founded cities like Alexandria, established libraries, and preserved important texts for everyone to study. This is a significant contribution to history. Could this have also been a teaching from Aristotle?
Shiono-sensei vividly depicted each scene, making me feel as though I was journeying alongside Alexander. Although she expresses her gratitude in the end, it’s really us who are grateful. This was a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the richness of human history.
Greece, which has had a profound impact on today’s world… Now, I’m going to study Hellenism next.
