What does Daniel 8:8 mean?
This verse refers to Alexander the Great's rise to power over many nations (Daniel 8:21–22). It has been estimated that his empire encompassed nearly two million square miles, or more than five million square kilometers. This was accomplished in only thirteen years. Daniel's vision (Daniel 8:1–2) predicts this rapid rise (Daniel 8:6–7) as well as Alexander's sudden fall. The single horn of the conquering goat breaks, leaving room for four new horns, representing the leaders of the territories left after Alexander's death.Alexander the Great's military success was rapid, but it also came to a rapid end. After marching his army of 120,000 men across the Indus, his Greek soldiers had had enough of the military campaign. Many refused to keep on marching and fighting. His Macedonian soldiers rebelled because he claimed to be a god, included Persians in his army, and married Persian women. Before the lasting consequences had set in, he died of a fever around 323 BC; he was only thirty-two years old. Alexander's career abruptly halted. His horn was broken.
Upon Alexander's death, four conspicuous kings emerged to lead the remnants of the empire. The conquered regions were split into four parts around the world. The new kings were Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy.