What are the general characteristics of a great historical figure and why?

The so called "great man" theory is simply that there are certain people who come along and almost single handedly change the course of history. An example would be Abraham Lincoln. Would some else have succeeded at his tasks? The GMT people would say NO.

The other view is that great events come along and carry otherwise ordinary people to great results. An example would be Harry S Truman. An undistinguished man up until ascending to the presidency and became a giant in post war history. So events make the Great Man, not the other way around.

Great Historical People

The first characteristic of a 'great' historical figure: People remember him or her. I don't care if they were good or evil - if they're remembered, they're 'great.'

All great historical figures had or have ambition. Whether it was to make the world a better place, or to conquer a country, or to be remembered in history books: they all had big ambitions.

Another trait: they had distinct personalities. People liked them or hated them with a passion.

They accomplish things that no one else has accomplished. Or they fail, but they do it in a really spectacular way. (Hitler tried and failed to conquer Russia. He did it by sending soldiers there in winter, where they had to walk through deep snow. In spring, when it all melted, they had to walk through mud.)

Sorry, I don't really know much on Alexander the Great. ;) But I hope my other comments help.

Alexander the Great is called "great", but he wasn´t great. The same with Napoleon Bonaparte and Hitler. Our problem is that we call persons great who were cruel and caused the biggest destruction. Michail Gorbatschow was a hundred times greater than all those "great" men together.

i'm no expert on alexander the great but to answer ur general Q of what makes great historical figures, in my opinion , is that they are HATED in their time or pple think they're cazy.

Only after they have passed will they be hailed historical figures

Greatness is in perspective. At the time, Hitler was considered a great man. He was charismatic and had a vision. He captivated the world with just his words at first. So there you go.

They exude great awesomeness.

brutality, megalomaniac, egotistical, the list goes on.