“When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer. (Technically a misquote, but I like the misquote better)”

— Plutarch

The quote "When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to co…" is famous quote attributed to Plutarch (46–127), ancient Greek historian and philosopher.

Last update April 18, 2023. History

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Plutarch 251

ancient Greek historian and philosopher 46–127

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“Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had befallen him, he returns this answer: "Do you not think it a matter worthy of lamentation that when there is such a vast multitude of them, we have not yet conquered one?"”

Plutarch (46–127) ancient Greek historian and philosopher

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“After he routed Pharnaces Ponticus at the first assault, he wrote thus to his friends: "I came, I saw, I conquered."”

Plutarch (46–127) ancient Greek historian and philosopher

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“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
Veni, vidi, vici.

Julius Caesar (-100–-44 BC) Roman politician and general

Written in a report to Rome 47 B.C., after conquering Pharnaces at Zela in Asia Minor in just five days; as quoted in Life of Caesar http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Caesar*.html#50 by Plutarch; reported to have been inscribed on one of the decorated wagons in the Pontic triumph, in Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Julius http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Julius*.html#37, by Suetonius
Variant translation:
Came, Saw, Conquered
Inscription on the triumphal wagon reported in The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius, as translated by Robert Graves (1957)
Original: (sl) Veni, vidi, vici.

“In the east the day was reddening,
When the warriors pass'd;
In the west the night was deadening,
As they looked their last;
As they looked their last on him —
He, their comrade — their commander —
He, the earth's adored —
He, the godlike Alexander!
Who can wield his sword?
As they went their eyes were dim,
The silver-shielded warriors,
The warriors of the world!”

Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–1838) English poet and novelist

(1835-3) (Vol.45) Deathbed of Alexander the Great
The Monthly Magazine

“When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer. (Technically a misquote, but I like the misquote better)”

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Plutarch 251

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