Alexander III of Macedon (356 to 323 BC) is one of the most influential political figures of antiquity. A majestic commander who conquered territory from the coast of Greece to northern Africa, including the lands of modern Turkey, Pakistan and Iran.
On the 13th anniversary of his reign, the legendary warrior of Ancient Egypt united the lands of East and West through certain fighting techniques and cultural exchange. By the time of the death of Alexander the Great, which overtook him on the battlefield at the age of 32, his reputation had reached such a peak that he began to be canonized. It is not always possible to separate the truth from the myths that have woven around the ruler for centuries. Everyone knows about the king's conquests, but few know who Alexander the Great really was.
1. Macedonian's main teacher was Aristotle, and he studied with other philosophers.
Philip II of Macedon invited Aristotle, the greatest of all philosophers in history, to raise his son, 13-year-old Alexander - heir to the throne. Few facts are known about the three years spent by the future commander under the tutelage of the scientist. At the same time, in Greece, Alexander the Great tried to find the famous ascetic Diogenes, who was a great cynic and, to prove his beliefs, spent his nights in a large clay vessel. Alexander approached the thinker in the public square and asked Diogenes if he could offer him anything from his countless riches. To which the philosopher replied:
“Yes you can. Step aside: you blocked the sun from me" The young prince was fascinated and impressed by Diagenes' refusal and declared: “E If I had not been born Alexander, I would have been Diogenes.”
A few years later in India, Macedonsky stopped the fighting due to the need to continue his dispute with the gymnosophist, a representative of the religious Hindu group “Jane”, who shunned human vanity and wearing luxurious clothes.
2. For 15 years of military conquests, the Macedonian army did not lose a single battle.
The strategy and tactics of warfare of Alexander the Great are still included in the curriculum of military schools. He won his first victory at the age of 18. He led troops with great speed while allowing them to expend a minimum of force to reach and break enemy lines before the enemy could react. Having gained the Greek kingdom in 334 BC. the commander crossed to Asia (today the territory of Turkey), where he won a battle with Persian troops led by Darius III.
3. Macedonian named more than 70 cities after his name and one in honor of his horse.
In memory of his victories, the commander founded several cities. As a rule, they were built around military forts. He called them Alexandria. The largest city was founded at the mouth of the Nile River in 331 BC. Today, the northern capital ranks second in area among Egyptian cities. Other settlements are located along the path of the military achievements of the Greek heir to the throne: in Iran, Turkey, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Near the Hydaspes River, where the most difficult victory of the Indian campaign was won, the city of Busefal was founded, named after the favorite horse of Macedon, who was mortally wounded in battle.
4. Alexander’s love for his future wife Roxana flared up at first sight.
After a lightning capture in 327 BC. hitherto impregnable mountain fortress, Sogdian Rock, the 28-year-old military leader examined his captives. At that moment, Roxana, a teenage girl from a noble family of Bactria, caught his eye. Soon after, as was customary in wedding ceremonies, the king cut a loaf of bread with a sword and shared half with his bride. A son from Roxana, Alexander IV, was born after the death of Macedon.
5. Alexander had a wonderful smell.
Plutarch in “The Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans,” almost four centuries after the death of the king, reports that Alexander’s skin “ gave off a pleasant smell", And his “his breath and body were so fragrant that the clothes he wore were as if covered with perfume" “The detail inherent in the olfactory characteristics of the king's image is often attributed to tradition that arose during his reign. The rulers were endowed with divine attributes as all-conquering and powerful.” Alexander himself openly called himself the son of Zeus during his visit to Zeus in 331 BC.
6. After the victory over Persia, Macedonian adopted the traditional Persian clothing style.
After six years of constant invasions of the Persian Empire in 330 BC. The Macedonian army managed to capture Pesepolis, the ancient center of Persian culture. Realizing that the best way to maintain control over the local population was to adopt their lifestyle, the Greek commander began wearing a striped belted tunic and a diadem. This horrified the cultural Punists in Macedonia. In 324 BC. he held a magnificent wedding in the city of Susa, where 92 Macedonians were forced to marry Persian women. Alexander himself married Stateira and Parysatis.
7. The cause of death of Alexander the Great represents the greatest secret of the ancient world.
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
In 323 BC. The famous ruler fell ill after drinking wine at a feast. A few days later, at the age of 32, Makedonsky died. Considering that the father was killed by his own assistant, the suspects included the king’s inner circle, especially his wife Antipater and her son, Cassandra. Some ancient biographers even suggested that the entire Antipater family became the organizers. Modern medical experts speculate that the cause of Macedonski's death was malaria, liver failure, lung infection, or typhoid fever.
8. Alexander’s body is kept in a vat of honey.
Plutarch reports that the body of Macedon was first sent to Babylon to Egyptian embalmers. However, leading Egyptologist A. Wallis Budge has suggested that the remains of the ancient Egyptian warrior were immersed in honey to prevent decay. A year or two later it was returned to Macedonia, but it was intercepted by Ptolemy I, one of the former generals. Therefore, knowing the location of the Macedonian body, Ptolemy received the status of successor to the great empire.
The chronicles describe how Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and the future Emperor of Rome Octavin (Augustus Caesar) made a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Macedonian in . In 30 BC. Octavian examined the 300-year-old mummy of Macedon and laid a wreath on it. The last record of a visit to the tomb by the Roman Emperor Caracal was dated 215 BC. The tomb was subsequently destroyed and its location forgotten due to political upheaval and the beginning of the Roman era.
