Greece wants Iraq to build Alexander the Great statue

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said she was involved in the talks along with Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, who said: “It's a great idea and we back it.” The Battle of Gaugamela took place between Alexander and Darius III of Achaemenid Persia near the present-day Iraqi city of Mosul. It resulted in a massive victory for the Macedonians.

Alexander (356 BCE to 323 BCE) was one of the most successful military commanders of all time and by the time of his death, had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks — going as far as India. After the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander proclaimed himself king of Asia at the age of 25.

The project “must symbolize the reciprocal influence between the people” of Greece and Iraq, the Greek foreign minister said, adding that Athens was ready to provide some of the funding.

Greece claims Alexander as part of its heritage, partly due to the fact that he was tutored by Aristotle.

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