ALEXANDER GREAT THE Themes: Religion, Divinity and Propaganda

Alexander’s Ancestors Heroes to be honoured Achievers to match… …and to surpass?

Miletus Halicarnassus Gordium Granicus River (334BC) Tarsus Issus (333BC) The Conquest of Asia Minor map: Troy

The Visit to Troy Why Troy? A very famous place Alex’s army was new Gk army, reconquering the East. Alex wanted to stress his association with Achilles Personal curiosity may have played a part. Re-enactment Tomb of the first Greek soldier to set foot on Trojan soil. Sacrificed to several gods during crossing. Visited Troy, where Alexander and Hephaistion laid wreaths on the tombs of Achilles and Patroclus. Performed sacrifices at Troy.

The Gordian Knot Read Hamilton’s account of Alexander at Gordium (pg.64) and note down the different ways that the primary sources say Alexander solved the problem of the Gordian Knot: Callisthenes: (Aristotle’s nephew and Alex’s official historian) Aristobulous: (One of Alex’s generals)

Egypt Welcomes Alexander Three stops: 1.Memphis (Cairo) 2.Alexandria 3.Siwah Hamilton, page 74 Hamilton, page 75 Video click here.

Callisthenes and Proskynesis What does this issue have to do with: Religion? Propaganda? Alexander’s nature?

The Rock of Aornus Not strategically important, but…

The Town of Nysa Also not strategically important, but… 'Sire, it is the request of the people of Nysa that you show your reverence far Dionysus by leaving them free and independent. For when Dionysus, after his conquest of the Indians, was on his way homeward towards the Greek sea, he founded this city as a memorial of his long journey and his victory, leaving to inhabit it those of his men who were no longer fit for service - who were also his Priests. He did but as you have done; for you too founded Alexandria in the Caucasus and Alexandria in Egypt and many other cities as well, and will found yet more hereafter, in that you will have surpassed the achievements of Dionysus.” - Arrian

The Mutiny at the River Beas (Hyphasis) Soon after the Jhelum battle, Alexander’s men refused to go any further. Alexander sulked in his tent, but his men refused to budge. So Alexander ordered a sacrifice to the gods to see whether the Macedonians should cross the Beas River. The priests reported that they should turn back.

The Theoroi (Sacred Envoys) “If Alexander wants to be the son of Zeus, let him. Why not Poseidon too, while he’s at it?” – Demosthenes of Athens

Alexander’s Competitive Nature and Need for Glory Troy Achilles / Greeks Gordium Zeus’s wagon Siwah Son of Zeus? Nysa Dionysus Babylon A Living God? Gedrosian Desert Persian Kings Rock of Aornus Heracles

The Request for Deification Alexander’s megalomania reached its peak in 324BC, when he requested to be deified (acknowledged as a god). This request was unusual for a living person to make, but would put him on a par with past heroes like Heracles. “If Alexander wants to be the son of Zeus, let him. Why not Poseidon too, while he’s at it?” – Demosthenes of Athens Soon after this, Alexander received sacred envoys ( theoroi ) from the Greek States to grant his wish by crowning him with gold. They may also have come to question him about the Exiles Decree.

The Death of Hephaestion Hamilton pages When, how and why did Hephaestion die? 2.List the ways that Alexander grieved for him. A great site telling Hephaistion’s story:

Alexander caught malarial fever after a night of heavy drinking and died two weeks later on June 10, 323BC. Read Hamilton’s account pages Q: What is the possible ‘conspiracy theory’ surrounding Alexander’s death? The Death of Alexander Three Bad Omens… Read Hamilton pgs and explain what these were.

After Alexander – ‘The Hellenistic Age’ Seleucus Ptolemy Lysimachus Cassander 300BC – The Kingdoms of the Successors