Now you fear punishment and beg for your lives, so I will let you free, if not for any other reason so that you can see the difference between a Greek king and a barbarian tyrant, so do not expect to suffer any harm from me. A king does not kill messengers.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Alexander spares supplicants to contrast Greek royal clemency with barbarian tyranny, emphasizing that kings do not harm messengers.
- In plain terms
- He frees them to show Greek kings are kinder than tyrants.
- What can you take from it?
- Clemency can demonstrate moral superiority over enemies.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does mercy strengthen or weaken power?
- When is sparing foes politically useful?
Another view
It may be a calculated image tactic rather than true kindness.
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