Was Alexander the Great really that great?

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Stephanie H. Smith |

TED-Ed

• December 2025

Alexander the Great fundamentally transformed the world during his 13-year reign. He conquered Persia when it was one of the world’s largest empires, and he was considered a living demi-god by Egyptians and Greeks. But was he a brilliant, embattled leader, or a ruthless, power-hungry conqueror? Stephanie Honchell Smith puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Alexander the Great. [Directed by Michael Kalopaidis, Zedem Media, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].