Iskandar
Iskandar is a Rider-class Servant appearing in the Fate series, whose true identity is Alexander the Great, the legendary conqueror and 26th monarch of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Summoned by Waver Velvet in Fate/Zero to participate in the Fourth Holy Grail War, he is a hulking figure standing over two meters tall. Characterized by his boisterous, larger-than-life personality and overwhelming charisma, he pursues his ambitions with unyielding conviction while forging a deep bond of trust with his young Master.
Overview
Iskandar is a Rider-class Servant appearing in the Fate series, whose true identity is Alexander the Great, the legendary conqueror and 26th monarch of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Summoned by Waver Velvet in Fate/Zero to participate in the Fourth Holy Grail War, he is a hulking figure standing over two meters tall. Characterized by his boisterous, larger-than-life personality and overwhelming charisma, he pursues his ambitions with unyielding conviction while forging a deep bond of trust with his young Master.
Appearance
Standing 212 cm tall and weighing 130 kg, Iskandar is a towering, heavily muscled man with short red hair, red eyes, and a beard. His combat attire consists of leather armor—including a breastplate with a front slit—and a red cape trimmed with fur. When in casual wear, he dons a short-sleeved T-shirt paired with jeans. In battle, he is frequently depicted mounted upon his beloved steed, Bucephalus.
Personality
Iskandar possesses a boisterous and open-hearted temperament, rarely dwelling on minor details. Referring to himself with sovereign phrasing, his desire for the Holy Grail is not immediate conquest, but reincarnation into the modern era so he may conquer the world once more by his own hand. He eagerly embraces modern culture, developing a passion for games, books, and television. Guided by a strong sense of nobility, he holds that true conquest means to defeat without destroying or humiliating his opponents.
Abilities
Iskandar possesses Magic Resistance, high-tier Riding ability, Divinity, Military Tactics, and exceptional Charisma. He commands the divine chariot Gordius Wheel, pulled by two bulls imbued with lighting, which can be summoned by slashing space with his Cypriot sword; revealing its true name unleashes the trampling assault Via Expugnatio. His ultimate trump card is the Reality Marble Ionioi Hetairoi, which summons thousands of his legendary ancient army as individual Servants to overwhelm the battlefield.
Background
In life, Iskandar united the Greek city-states and defeated the Persian Empire in a span of just over a decade, expanding his domain into Egypt and India in search of the mythical ocean Okeanos. His eastern campaigns catalyzed the clash and blending of Eastern and Western cultures, founding the Hellenistic period. In the Fourth Holy Grail War, he is summoned by Waver Velvet using a stolen artifact, quickly establishing a dynamic partnership with the young mage as they navigate the conflict together.
Relationships
Though initially at odds, he develops a profound bond of mutual trust and respect with his Master, Waver Velvet. He views Gilgamesh as a formidable rival king with whom he debates the nature of rulership. Darius III serves as his fierce historical rival, while loyal commanders such as Hephaestion and Ptolemy formed the backbone of his inner circle in life.
Trivia
The name Iskandar reflects the Persian and Arabic renditions of Alexander. Through his historic campaigns in Egypt, he was also recognized as a pharaoh, earning the enduring admiration of later historical commanders across Eurasia. In modern depictions, he is notably fond of modern strategy games, military hardware books, and a signature printed T-shirt.
