Who has not heard of Alexander the Great? He is one of the most famous people in history and is easily the most famous Greek to have ever lived. Many might not know much about him, but all know the name. However, it is no wonder why his name and legacy has lived on for more than 2,000 years. Alexander was able to conquer the whole known world. He created an empire, that although short-lived, was full of various peoples of various cultures. His empire might not have survived long, but the Hellenistic culture that Alexander brought with him to the lands he conquered would remain for hundreds of years.

A failure of leadership can lead to a legacy profound in its ramifications and consequences as much as strong, effective leadership. The perfect example of this is the outbreak of World War 1 and a legacy which affects us to this very day.

As Greek colonisation spread eastwards across the Aegean Sea into Asia Minor, it was destined to come into contact with the Persian Empire expanding relentlessly westwards. Lydia, the kingdom of Croesus, would be the meeting place for East and West. Herodotus, the world’s first historian, tells us that Croesus was the first foreigner who came into direct contact with the Greeks both in the ways of conquest and alliance.