Why was he given the name Alexander the great?

Answer 1

The earliest surviving reference we have of Alexander being called, 'Alexander the great', is found in a Roman play titled, "Mostellaria (The Haunted House), a play written by Titus Maccius Plautus c. 254-184 BCE testifying to the admiration that the Romans had for his military achievements.

The line from the play, "Alexandrum magnum atque Agathoclem aiunt maximas" in English reads, "Alexander the great and most importantly, they say, Agathocles". The character, Tranio, a slave in Rome owned by Theopropides is comparing himself admiringly to Alexander and Agathocles.

We don't know if the playwright Titus Maccius Plautus coined the title but we can safely assume that his audience would recognize who 'Alexandrum magnum' was, an indication that the epithet predated Plautus' play and suggesting that the Romans began styling Alexander as 'the great' fairly soon after his death.

Quintus Curtius Rufus also mentions 'Alexander the Great', by the epithet 'Great' in his "Historie Alexandri Magni Macedonis" in the 1st century CE. The 'Magni' has been translated into English as, "Great" and is a clear reference to his talent as a military leader which allowed him to build such a huge empire.

Answer 2

Alexander the Great named some of the cities that he conquered after himself; so that people would remember him when he is gone.

Answer 3

Alexander was called Alexander the Great for several reasons. He was a talented warfare strategist and leader. He conquered the Persians and created an expansive empire.

Answer 4

Yes, in fact a lo of cities were named after Alexander the Great.

Answer 5

Alexander wanted to expand his rule over the lands near him so he captured and claimed them. His people thought he was such a great leader that cities were named in his honor.

Answer 6

because he discovered the city

Answer 7

He was self-centered I guess...