The Remarkable Life of Alexander the Great

Louis the Stammerer. Justinian the Slit-Nose. Alfonso the Slobberer. Aethelred the Unready. Charles the Bald. Eystein Foul-Fart. You don’t often hear about these historical leaders whose unflattering monikers suggest they just couldn’t cut the mustard. In contrast, there’s the lengthy roster of those rated as “Greats” in the chronicles of past eras—Cyrus the Great, Peter the Great, Constantine the Great, Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Pope Gregory the Great, Pompey the Great, Alfred the Great, Charlemagne (Charles the Great), and Suleiman the Great (and Magnificent). The generally accepted lineup of this hallowed order contains the names of over 150 people.