Why is Alexander the Great pictured as a leopard in Daniel's vision?
The vision uses the leopard because it is one of the swiftest animals, depicting Alexander the Great, who was swift in his conquests. He moved armies over territory others never dreamed possible and in less time. The four wings and four heads indicate that after his death four generals divided the Greek empire.
Les explains that the leopard is one of the swiftest animals in the animal kingdom. In Daniel's vision, that speed depicts Alexander the Great, who was swift in his conquests; he could move his armies over territory nobody else ever dreamed possible and in less time, and he was known for it. That is why he is pictured as the leopard. The beast also had four wings and four heads. Les connects this to Alexander's death, when four generals took over, dividing the Grecian empire into four instead of one great dictator such as Nebuchadnezzar.
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
More Questions
What do the four wings and four heads on the leopard mean in Daniel's vision?
The leopard's four wings and four heads picture the four generals who ruled Alexander's empire after his death, meaning the third empire was divided into four rather than ruled by one dictator.