The Economic History of Alexander the Great and his Expedition from Greece to India

Abstract

Xenophon created the theory of economics and economic policy in Ancient Greece. Alexander the Great lived in the fourth century B.C., and we know him as a great Hellenic king, civilizer, and "forerunner"; however, he was also an excellent economist, as he had to manage the economy of his vast campaign from Greece to India, as well as exercise an efficient and effective public policy for his vast Empire. Also, “he desired not pleasure or wealth, but only excellence and glory”, which was the moral and ethical Greek philosophy of his time.  Alexander had said that “…I am grateful to gods that I was borne Hellen…” and had all these Hellenic moral and ethical values, which made him one of the most important persons in human history.  He had demonstrated exceptional management abilities, with salary rates, health and welfare, building projects, supplies, transportation, tax reforms, indirect taxes and donations, loans, coin minting, even controlling financial scandals and other information useful to our policymakers today. We calculate and compare prices using information from different historians of his period, and we measure his budgets using the weights of gold and silver coins. The objective, here, is to measure the expenditures of this expedition and the sources of revenue by using the Greek drachma and the U.S. dollar today. Alexander economic policy with its surpluses is very useful for our current leaders and scholars. Also, the history and the role of this extraordinary man and the contribution of the Greek civilization and language in God’s plan, for His revolted and deluded creation and humanity to be in a position to understand and accept His revelation, which Greeks were expecting since the Golden Century of Athens, is discussed.