“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” ⚔️
Alexander the Great, the conquering monarch who ascended the throne at the young age of twenty and built an unprecedented empire stretching from Macedonia to the borders of India in human history. Though he fought numerous battles with brilliant strategy and valor, he had to face equally harsh psychological tension and daunting challenges.
His greatest secret to managing immense anxiety and attaining Achilles-like courage was hidden right beneath his pillow. Alexander always cherished the book of Homer’s epic poem, the ‘Iliad’, which he received as a personally annotated edition from Aristotle, the pinnacle of Greek philosophy. Even when sleeping in a tent on the battlefield, he kept this Iliad under his pillow alongside a dagger and read it thoroughly every night. By reading the classical epic intently, the king drove away fear from his mind and completed his preparations every night to awaken as tomorrow’s hero.
In today’s post, we introduce the scientific grounds of Alexander’s ‘Iliad Under the Pillow’ routine and explore how modern individuals who easily lose sight of their goals can utilize their subconscious to establish willpower.
Historical & Academic Evidence
This content is based on Historical Verification from Plutarch's *Life of Alexander* & Cognitive Neuroscience Research.
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Inspired by historical greats? Make it your daily habit!
1. Value-Oriented Reading That Induces Subconscious Alignment
When the brain begins to fall asleep, brainwaves transition to alpha and theta waves, and information introduced during this time reaches the hippocampus (the long-term memory storehouse) and deep within the cerebral cortex (which forms the subconscious) much more easily than usual.
The Iliad that Alexander the Great read before sleeping was not merely to pass the time. By repeatedly exposing his brain to hero values, valor, and adventurous spirit right before entering dormant mode, he synchronized his self-identity and goal-oriented neural networks through Value Alignment. In modern neuroscience as well, focusing on positive and proactive narratives right before sleep has been proven to be a useful tool for activating subconscious problem-solving abilities and restoring self-esteem.
2. 3-Step Practical Routine for Modern Professionals
Selecting and Placing a Vision Book
Choose one book that stimulates the highest identity and vision you aim for, place it by your bedside, and put away your smartphone completely.
15 Minutes of Intensive Reading Before Bed
Instead of skimming while lying down, sit in an upright posture and read deeply for 15 minutes, savoring the noble sentences in the book. Pay deep attention so that the text permeates your brain cells.
Engraving the Vision and Going to Sleep
Set what you read down by your bedside, close your eyes, and visualize the figure of the hero you read about today or your goals for tomorrow for 1 to 2 minutes before going to sleep. Guide your subconscious to move in this direction overnight.
3. The Text You Read Determines Your Subconscious
Consuming content late at night that stimulates fear, jealousy, or criticism—such as social media or news articles—aligns your subconscious with negative stimuli, disrupting deep sleep and causing you to wake up exhausted in the morning. Intentionally place noble classics or books that elevate your value by your bedside.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does reading novels or comic books before bed have the same effect as the vision classic reading routine? ▼
Light fiction also offers a cooling effect that relieves brain stress, but to achieve a 'value-oriented motivational' effect that aligns self-identity and inspires execution willpower like Alexander's routine, it is far better to choose classic epics, philosophy books, or biographies of great people that provide inner resonance and reflection.
Is it okay to read books using an e-book reader while lying down? ▼
E-book readers or tablet screens carry a high risk of suppressing melatonin secretion because light emissions cause the brain to mistake night for day. For optimal results in inducing subconscious alignment and deep sleep, it is recommended to read a physical paper book directly by turning pages by hand under soft lighting whenever possible.
