In linguistics, word amelioration describes a process by which a negative word develops positive connotations over time. For instance, words terrible and terrific have the same latin root - terrere - yet widely different meanings. Initially, terrific  used to convey the same terror-inducing qualities as terrible. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the meaning has changed. With time, what was once terrible became to mean great.

One borrows (read: steals) what one can from early influences. I grew up reading Roman history, and shared their belief that there was no man greater than Alexander the Great. King of Macedonia at 20, he conquered his way to India and created the largest empire the world has seen at the time, by the age of 33. His military career is a universal humbler of all great men. So fantastic were his achievements that I read stories about Alexander the Great in the same breath as myths about demigods like Heracles and Achilles.

Martin Amis recalls, in his autobiography, an episode that occurred between him and his father - Kingsley Amis. While making a drink for Kingsley, Martin ventured to highlight the difference between sexes by retelling a story he read in Primo Levi's book "If This Is a Man". In short, when the Jews were rounded up and told they would be deported to Auschwitz, the men spent their last night drinking, fucking and fighting. Women spent it washing children and their children's clothes. When the sun came up, the barbed wire around the camp was covered in children's clothes hung out to dry. By the time Martin finished the story and turned around with a drink, the old man was drenched in tears. He went on to say: "That's one thing I feel more and more as I get older. Let's not round up the women and the children. Let's not go over the hill and fuck up the people in the next town along. Let's not do any of that ever again."

It may be an early onset of the old-age sensitivity, but as my appetite for myth subsides it becomes harder and harder to cheer for Alexander. What between all the genocides, looting, destruction of cities, and murders that run into hundreds of thousands.

Romans were the first to refer to Alexander as The Great and sought to emulate him. Prosperous Roman generals were the ones who were able to find new people to enslave and plunder; only to bring wealth back to the ancient city where it was squandered as quickly and lavishly as possible. Ever-forgiving of death tolls, both time and Roman influence worked together for 2 millenia to magnify and embellish Alexander's legacy. Of course, Alexander isn't the only one and history is not the only arena where such embellishment occurs.

Western civilisation owes a lot to Alexander and the spread of Hellenism that followed in his wake. But as we sit down to enjoy the comforts offered in the shadows of our giants, we mustn't forget the terror left in their wake.