Alexander the Great and the PirateAccording to ancient legend there was once a notorious pirate name
Alexander the Great and the PirateAccording to ancient legend there was once a notorious pirate named Diomedes who had been captured and brought before Alexander the Great for sentencing. Because of the pirate’s many criminal deeds, everyone expected that Alexander would sentence the pirate to death. Before he passed judgment, however, Alexander decided to interview the pirate.“What could possibly give you the right to sail the seas, killing and taking by force things that do not belong to you?” Alexander asked the pirate.Diomedes boldly replied with some questions of his own. “O Great King,” he said, “what could possibly give you the right to travel the whole world, killing and taking by force things that do not belong to you?”Alexander stared at the man in amazement, and Diomedes went on speaking. "Because I only have one boat” he said, “I am called a pirate. You, however, have an entire fleet and an army, so they call you Great King. If you ask me who is the greater criminal, I cannot say. I do know, however, that if I had such things at my disposal, I would be a Great King too.”Alexander was so impressed by this reply that instead of punishing the pirate, he let him go, praising him for his boldness and insight.http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2013/07/greek-legend-alexander-pirates.html -- source link
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