History, Dapanae, and Poroe: Expenditures and Revenue of Alexander the Great’s Expedition

Purpose: The philosophy (science) of Oeconomicos and economic policy were developed by Xenophon in Ancient Greece. Alexander the Great was living a little later in the 4th century B.C. and he is known globally as a great Greek (Hellen) general and civilizer; but, he was also, an excellent economist by managing the economy of his wars, his enormous campaign from North Greece to India, and exercising an efficient and effective public policy for his Empire. He had shown management capabilities, with rates of salaries, health and welfare, building projects, supplies, transports, reforms of the tax system, indirect taxes and donations, loans, minting of coins (currency), even controlling financial scandals and other information useful for our policy makers, today. The purpose of the paper is to measure his expenditures, revenues, and budgets by using the weights of gold and silver coins and determine and compare prices with today dollar prices of precious metals by taking these information from different historians of his time. Methodology: Alexander economic policy with its surpluses is very useful for our current leaders and scholars. Findings: Also, the history and the role of this extraordinary man and of the Greek language in a divine plan, for a revolted and deluded creation and humanity to be in a position to understand and accept the revelation, which Greeks were expecting since 5 th century B.C. (the Golden Century of Athens), is discussed extensively. Recommendations: Suitable policy guidelines have been suggested.