Welcome back, Classical Wisdom! One of the precious few corners of sanity remaining on the Internet. Would that your words of wisdom reach as many readers as possible. The world needs a healthy dose of perspective!
Much better written than the first article I read, and very interesting .... Alexander cast long, deep shadow, and I have no doubt that includes what this article states ... that part of Alexander's army lives on in the pale eyes of Afghani's, Tajikistani's and Uzbek's, as well as parts of their national costumes. For all we know, their national cuisine and a few words in their languages as well ....
Alexander didn't make it back to Macedon. He died in 323 in Babylon, after falling victim to a bad fever, or as some would have it (and given the propensity of the Macedonian royal family, not entirely impossible), after being poisoned during a drinking bout to honor Hercules. His tomb has vanished, his generals scattered to the four corners, seizing power wherever they could and establishing the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt (Cleopatra wasn't black .... she was Macdonian/Greek), The Seleucid empire in Mesopotamia, the Antigonids in Macedon, and the Atalids in Anatolia.
So " .... look upon my works ye mortals and despair ..." indeed.
Yes, well I meant the transfer of culture went both ways from the East back to the West - not specifically by Alexander, but by his armies (similar to his influence in the East) - but I should have been more careful with my words!
Alexander's men were not favorably inclined towards either the Persians or any other Easterners. I'm not sure what they brought back in the way of culture ( they dumped their brides almost the second Alexander wheezed his last), and would be grateful if you could fill in the blanks for me ....
Not all of Alexander's generals dumped their brides. Seleucus chose to keep Apame as his wife, undoubtedly a savy political move if he had aspirations to control large parts of the east (too early to say at the death of Alexander). It isn't hard to believe that other officers not mentioned by our sources who like to highlight the differences between Macedonians and Persians also chose to retain their Persian wives, this is logical considering many soldiers remained stationed in the east after Alexander's death.
As far as I know, Seleucus I Nicator was the only general in Alexander's army who chose to keep his Sogdian wife, for all the reasons you mentioned in your very informed response.
But in true keeping with the times, he either set her aside abt 298 BCE to marry Stratonice, the daughter of Demetrius I of Macedon, or possibly married Stratonice after Apama's death. It's a cloudy issue, but many believe Apama was still alive at the time of Seleucus's second marriage, since she had a statue dedicated to her by the people of Miletus that year. Not exactly written-in-stone proof ....
As regards to culture transfer, there seems to be evidence of significant acculturation in Anatolia through "Greco-Persian" art and this process started even before Alexander's time in the 5th century BCE.
Very interesting, but it desperately needs a bibliography so that those of us whose background in non-Western history is extremely skimpy can find books to fill in that history.
We don't usually include the bibliography as we try to make it more accessible and less academic. However authors usually submit their bibliography to the editor. In this instance, The two books the author cited were: [1]: Worthington, Ian. By the Spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Rise and Fall of the
Macedonian Empire (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2014): 104.
[2]: Howard, Michael C. Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of
Including Bibliography, as you have in the reply, would enhance the value of the articles and allow people to cite and read further into the amazing range of subjects that Classical Wisdom covers. Thereby attracting more people to subscribe.
Very interesting article but should we assume that Alexander was purely motivated by revenge? Perhaps this was just the official policy, undoubtedly an advantageous one in getting disgruntled Greeks on board for the campaign against Persia, while personal glory and fame were really at the heart of Alexander's motivations.
Yeah, Alexander is a real mixed bag. Hard not to admire his drive, his genius for strategy, and his canniness, but there are other aspects that while less admirable are more interesting.
Alexander's grip on the throne upon his fathers death was tenuous, since his mother, Olympias, was not only not Macedonian, but had already been set aside in favor of a younger, newer bride (where have we heard that before), and young tho he was, he knew the best way to put out one fire was to start a bigger one. So he reignited his father's plans for 'revenge' on Persia, and suddenly the milling malcontents were unified in an army hungry for adventure, glory and plunder.
There's a good deal of back and forthing as to whether or not Alexander murdered his father, but whether he did or not, he was always a hot head and fond of wine. and the mix makes for interesting times. But he also had an almost numinous ability to gain, and hold, the intense loyalty of his men, most of whim adored him, and a genuine appreciation of courage, which he rewarded lavishly.
And there's no denying that he reshaped the world he lived in, and the world to follow, almost singlehandedly. Well, not counting a large and loyal army and his numerous marriages, designed to turn potential threats into allies and relatives.
I think it's always essential to show the multi-faceted nature of historical personages - of course it's not surprising that that should be the case, but I think we have in the past had a tendency to simplify and romanticize people of great historical importance. All the say, thank you for adding all this!
Got to stop writing the MACEDONIA GREEKS, The MACEDONIANS were NOT GREEK. False information.
Closes the Macedonians got to be Greek was when they got near them next to them to murder them & conquer them. The MACEDONIANS were Greek murderer's nothing more nothing less
Welcome back, Classical Wisdom! One of the precious few corners of sanity remaining on the Internet. Would that your words of wisdom reach as many readers as possible. The world needs a healthy dose of perspective!
Thank you Joel for your kind words - much appreciated!
Much better written than the first article I read, and very interesting .... Alexander cast long, deep shadow, and I have no doubt that includes what this article states ... that part of Alexander's army lives on in the pale eyes of Afghani's, Tajikistani's and Uzbek's, as well as parts of their national costumes. For all we know, their national cuisine and a few words in their languages as well ....
Imagine also what Alexander brought back from those regions to Greece...
Alexander didn't make it back to Macedon. He died in 323 in Babylon, after falling victim to a bad fever, or as some would have it (and given the propensity of the Macedonian royal family, not entirely impossible), after being poisoned during a drinking bout to honor Hercules. His tomb has vanished, his generals scattered to the four corners, seizing power wherever they could and establishing the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt (Cleopatra wasn't black .... she was Macdonian/Greek), The Seleucid empire in Mesopotamia, the Antigonids in Macedon, and the Atalids in Anatolia.
So " .... look upon my works ye mortals and despair ..." indeed.
Yes, well I meant the transfer of culture went both ways from the East back to the West - not specifically by Alexander, but by his armies (similar to his influence in the East) - but I should have been more careful with my words!
Alexander's men were not favorably inclined towards either the Persians or any other Easterners. I'm not sure what they brought back in the way of culture ( they dumped their brides almost the second Alexander wheezed his last), and would be grateful if you could fill in the blanks for me ....
Not all of Alexander's generals dumped their brides. Seleucus chose to keep Apame as his wife, undoubtedly a savy political move if he had aspirations to control large parts of the east (too early to say at the death of Alexander). It isn't hard to believe that other officers not mentioned by our sources who like to highlight the differences between Macedonians and Persians also chose to retain their Persian wives, this is logical considering many soldiers remained stationed in the east after Alexander's death.
As far as I know, Seleucus I Nicator was the only general in Alexander's army who chose to keep his Sogdian wife, for all the reasons you mentioned in your very informed response.
But in true keeping with the times, he either set her aside abt 298 BCE to marry Stratonice, the daughter of Demetrius I of Macedon, or possibly married Stratonice after Apama's death. It's a cloudy issue, but many believe Apama was still alive at the time of Seleucus's second marriage, since she had a statue dedicated to her by the people of Miletus that year. Not exactly written-in-stone proof ....
As regards to culture transfer, there seems to be evidence of significant acculturation in Anatolia through "Greco-Persian" art and this process started even before Alexander's time in the 5th century BCE.
Very interesting, but it desperately needs a bibliography so that those of us whose background in non-Western history is extremely skimpy can find books to fill in that history.
We don't usually include the bibliography as we try to make it more accessible and less academic. However authors usually submit their bibliography to the editor. In this instance, The two books the author cited were: [1]: Worthington, Ian. By the Spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Rise and Fall of the
Macedonian Empire (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2014): 104.
[2]: Howard, Michael C. Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of
Cross- Border Trade and Travel (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2012): 135.
Including Bibliography, as you have in the reply, would enhance the value of the articles and allow people to cite and read further into the amazing range of subjects that Classical Wisdom covers. Thereby attracting more people to subscribe.
Very interesting article. I appreciate that it is digestible for those of us without a background in ancient history and the classics. Good work
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it
Very interesting article but should we assume that Alexander was purely motivated by revenge? Perhaps this was just the official policy, undoubtedly an advantageous one in getting disgruntled Greeks on board for the campaign against Persia, while personal glory and fame were really at the heart of Alexander's motivations.
Yeah, Alexander is a real mixed bag. Hard not to admire his drive, his genius for strategy, and his canniness, but there are other aspects that while less admirable are more interesting.
Alexander's grip on the throne upon his fathers death was tenuous, since his mother, Olympias, was not only not Macedonian, but had already been set aside in favor of a younger, newer bride (where have we heard that before), and young tho he was, he knew the best way to put out one fire was to start a bigger one. So he reignited his father's plans for 'revenge' on Persia, and suddenly the milling malcontents were unified in an army hungry for adventure, glory and plunder.
There's a good deal of back and forthing as to whether or not Alexander murdered his father, but whether he did or not, he was always a hot head and fond of wine. and the mix makes for interesting times. But he also had an almost numinous ability to gain, and hold, the intense loyalty of his men, most of whim adored him, and a genuine appreciation of courage, which he rewarded lavishly.
And there's no denying that he reshaped the world he lived in, and the world to follow, almost singlehandedly. Well, not counting a large and loyal army and his numerous marriages, designed to turn potential threats into allies and relatives.
All in all, quite a life, however brief.
I think it's always essential to show the multi-faceted nature of historical personages - of course it's not surprising that that should be the case, but I think we have in the past had a tendency to simplify and romanticize people of great historical importance. All the say, thank you for adding all this!
The Greeks already had a strong presence in Bactria by the time Alexander arrived.
Alexander was a self professed reincarnation of Achilles & Heracles.
Heracles traveled to Bactria, it is unreasonable to assume dedicated Greeks did not follow in the 1,000 years in between Heracles & Alexander
Alexander even named his first born son Heracles.
They even traveled further, the terracotta army has greek fingerprints all over it, but this may have been after Alexander .
Boeotia immigrants founded the capital city.
Or was it the other way around ?
very shallow article.
Got to stop writing the MACEDONIA GREEKS, The MACEDONIANS were NOT GREEK. False information.
Closes the Macedonians got to be Greek was when they got near them next to them to murder them & conquer them. The MACEDONIANS were Greek murderer's nothing more nothing less
huh, how?