18. Alexander The Great’s Megalomania and Paranoia Led Him to Murder his Best Friend
Alexander founded more than twenty cities that bore his name, including Alexandria in Egypt. His settlement of Greek colonists and the spread of Greek culture in the east resulted in a new Hellenistic civilization, aspects of which were still evident in the traditions of the Byzantine Empire in the mid-15th century. The legendary Greek king remained undefeated in battle and conquered most of the then-known world, spreading Greek culture all the way to India. Ultimately, Alexander became the measure against which military leaders compared themselves and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactics.
Conquering the world at such a young age as Alexander did, could easily make anyone feel strong doses of megalomania and Alexander’s possible paranoid episodes— especially near the end of his life— seem hard to ignore. During one of them and after consuming big portions of wine, Alexander murdered his best friend, Cleitus, over a silly argument. Furthermore, Alexander believed that he was the son of Zeus. From birth, he was taught that he was the son of the god of gods and though we can’t get an accurate diagnosis from reading various historical accounts on Alexander, we can speculate and read symptoms.