The Royal Splendor of Alexander and Roxana’s Wedding

The Wealth and Spending Habits of Alexander the Great and His Romantic Life
Introduction
Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE) was not only one of the greatest military conquerors in history but also one of the wealthiest individuals of his time. His empire stretched from Greece to India, and with it came unimaginable riches. From gold-plated palaces to extravagant banquets, Alexander spent his wealth generously—on his army, on cultural advancements, and on his personal life, including the women in his life.

Though Alexander was not known for indulging in excessive romantic affairs like some rulers, he did have important relationships with women, including his wives and rumored lovers. This article explores how much wealth Alexander controlled, his spending habits, and how his relationships influenced his wealth distribution.

1. How Much Wealth Did Alexander the Great Have?
1.1 The Conquests and Looted Wealth
Alexander amassed one of the greatest fortunes in history through his conquests, especially after defeating the Persian Empire (331 BCE) and seizing the royal treasury. Some of his largest financial gains included:

The Treasury of Persepolis – Estimated at 180,000 talents of silver (modern value: over $5 billion).
The Wealth of Babylon – Taken after the conquest of Babylon, worth billions in today’s terms.
Egyptian and Indian Spoils – The vast riches of Memphis, Susa, and Indian temples.
1.2 Estimated Net Worth in Today’s Terms
While it's difficult to estimate exact figures, historians believe Alexander's accumulated wealth could be worth:

$500 billion to $1 trillion in modern value, making him one of history’s wealthiest figures.
2. How Did Alexander Spend His Wealth?
2.1 Military and Conquests
Funding his army: Alexander paid for the largest standing army of the time, with over 50,000 soldiers, including elite cavalry units.
Expensive war machines: Siege towers, catapults, and elite weaponry.
Navy construction: Ships for Mediterranean control.
2.2 Lavish Lifestyles and Celebrations
Banquets and feasts: Alexander hosted legendary feasts, sometimes costing millions in gold for a single night.
Gold-plated cities: He rebuilt cities like Babylon, Susa, and Alexandria with gold decorations.
Luxury gifts for his generals and friends.
2.3 Spending on Women and Relationships
Alexander’s romantic life was not as extravagant as some rulers, but he did spend generously on his relationships.

3. Alexander’s Wives and Love Interests
3.1 Roxana – His Most Famous Wife
Roxana was a Bactrian princess whom Alexander married in 327 BCE.
Their wedding was a lavish affair, with gold, Persian-style decorations, and a feast lasting days.
He gifted her golden jewelry, palaces, and Persian-style royal outfits.
Estimated spending: $10 million to $50 million in modern value.
3.2 State Marriages with Persian Nobility
Alexander married Statira (daughter of Darius III) and Parysatis (daughter of Artaxerxes III) in a massive royal wedding in Susa (324 BCE).
The event included the marriage of 10,000 Macedonian soldiers to Persian noblewomen.
Estimated cost of the grand wedding: $100 million in modern value.
3.3 Camp Followers and Courtesans
Alexander often traveled with a large royal entourage, including women of noble rank and courtesans.
He gifted precious gems, silk robes, and golden ornaments to them.
Some of his known favorites were Barsine (a Persian noblewoman) and Thais (a famous Greek courtesan).
Thais famously encouraged the burning of Persepolis, an event linked to Alexander’s excessive drinking and luxury lifestyle.
4. Did Alexander Spend More Than He Had?
4.1 Lavish Spending Towards the End of His Life
By the time of his death in 323 BCE, Alexander’s wealth had been significantly diminished due to excessive spending on:
Grand building projects (including temples and cities).
Ongoing military campaigns.
Luxury gifts to generals and noble allies.
4.2 His Plan to Spend Even More
Alexander had planned a grand naval expedition, which would have cost billions in today’s money.
He was even rumored to have wanted a tomb made entirely of gold.
However, before these plans could materialize, Alexander died at the age of 32.

5. What Happened to His Fortune After His Death?
After Alexander's death, his empire was divided among his generals (the Diadochi). His immense wealth was:

Plundered and redistributed among his former commanders.
Spent on wars of succession, known as the Wars of the Diadochi (322–281 BCE).
Lost over time, with some treasures still missing today.
Conclusion: Alexander’s Wealth and Love Life
Alexander the Great was one of the wealthiest and most powerful rulers in history, accumulating a fortune estimated between $500 billion and $1 trillion in modern value. While much of this was spent on military campaigns and empire-building, he also spent lavishly on luxury, royal marriages, and relationships.

His wives and romantic partners, especially Roxana and his Persian queens, benefited from his generosity, receiving extravagant gifts, palaces, and jewelry. However, his extreme spending eventually drained much of his empire’s wealth, leaving little behind for his successors.

In the end, Alexander's true legacy was not in his wealth but in his empire, which reshaped history forever.