To Alexander

Isocrates, Vol. 3. Van Hook, Larue, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1945 (printing).

Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a personal letter written by the Athenian orator Isocrates to the young Macedonian prince Alexander, who would later become Alexander the Great. It was composed to accompany another letter sent by the author to Alexander's father, Philip II. In the letter, Isocrates praises the young Alexander for avoiding fruitless eristic philosophy and instead pursuing an education in practical political rhetoric that is useful for statecraft. He expresses high expectations for the prince's future, believing that this superior education combined with his natural talents will make him a great ruler. Though brief, this letter outlines the ideal education for a future leader and concludes with warm encouragement and high hopes for the young recipient.