propaganda and image building

Alexander said to companions he would run Olympics ‘if i have kings to run against me’ - elevates himself

P4

Bucephalus incident. Able to tame the horse that rejected everyone else after noticing it was afraid of its own shadow. Philip saw this and wept for joy saying ‘you must find a kingdom big enough for you ambitions, Macedonia is too small for you’ (POTHOS)

P6, 340BCE

Philip in Byzantium, Alexander defeated Maedi (barbarian tribe)and named the area around it Alexandropolis (POTHOS)

P 9, 340BCE

Delphi. Oracle says ‘you are invincible my son!’ (POTHOS through divinity)

P 14, 334BCE

Elaeus. Alexander offers sacrifice at tomb of Protesilaus, emulating predecessors and Pothos moment (see heroic emulation)

334BCE, A1.11

First to leave ship and step foot onto shores of Asia, builds two altars, one where left shore and other where he landed and dedicated them to Zeus (god of safe landings, Heracles and Athena. Being first off shows Alex as leader and altars show gods approval of campaign.

A1.11, 334BCE

Visit to Troy. Alex gifted armour in exchange for weapons from Trojan war. Sacrificed to Priam on altar of ‘Zeus Herceius’ to avert anger against family of Neoptolemus (son of Achilles). Alex laid wreath on Achilles while Hephaeston laid wreath on Patroclus, reaffirming heroic lineage.

Plutarch, says he poured libations to heroes of Greek army, anointed using oil the column marking grave of Achilles and then crowned with a wreath

A1.11, A1.12. P 15. 334BCE

Pre Granicus Alexander reject Parmenio advice to not cross river. ‘a trickle of water wont stop me’ (POTHOS)

A1.14, P 16, 334BCE

Post Granicus. Gave families of fallen tax relief and visited wounded personally - clemency. Gave fallen Persian commanders burial rites - respect enemy. Sends traitorous Greek mercenaries to hard labour as punishment going against LOC - upheld league and Hellenistic values. Sent 300 suits of armour back to Athens - keep allegiance

334BCE, A1.14

Ionian coast (Sardis and Ephesus). Sardis under rule of Mithrines surrendered to which he kept rank and status and the people kept old customs whilst he installed garrisons.

Ephesus removed small governing body and restored democracy and transferred tax to Persia to temple of Artemis

Treated them with respect cuz they surrendered. To Greeks living there, he’s seen as benevolent liberator, as to Persians he’s seen as culture respecter. Liberating Greek cities = legitimising campaign.

A1.17, A1.18, 334BCE

Gordium. Visited palace of Gordium and Midas which had the Wagon of Gordium containing Gordium knot. Cuts the knot with sword and belief of whoever undid it would be ruler of Asia. (POTHOS)

A2.2, 333BCE

Soli and Mallus. Soli fined with 200 talents of silver due to allegiance to Persia. Mallus had tribute to Darius removed as they were Greek. (Clemency vs Violence)

333BCE, A 2.5, A 2.6

Post Issus. Treatment of Darius’ family. Alex said they should be provided with everything they already had such as their attendants and privileges. He allowed them to bury as many Persians as they liked and take any clothes and ornaments from them. He said that they would never hear or suspect anything that could disgrace them. (magnanimity of alex)

333BCE. P 21

Tyre. Those who fled to temple of Heracles given free pardon while everyone else sold into slavery (30,000). Siege itself is pothos as he was refused entry into city.

332BCE, A 2.25

Siwah Oasis. Visited Siwah Oasis to consult the oracle as he wanted more info on his divine lineage whilst also emulating Perseus and Herakles to equal their fame.

Plutarch, oracle says ‘O pai Dios’ (O, son of Zeus) but meant to say ‘O paidion’ (O, my son)

331BCE, A 3.2, P 27

Post Egypt. Darius’ wife died, Alex gave magnificent funeral. One of her attendants Teireos escaped back to Darius to inform him about his wife’s death and magnanimity of Alex saying how she wasn’t deprived of any honours. Darius hearing this expressed that only Alex should succeed the throne of Persia.

331BCE, P 30

Pre Gaugamela, reject Parmenio advice to attack at night. ‘I will not steal victory like a thief’ (wants to prevent Darius of having excuses of his loss to Alexander - proves superiority.)

331BCE, A 3.10, P 31

Persepolis. Alex burns down temple of Xerxes which was against Parmenio’s advice as alex alr owned it. Alex responds saying that he wanted to punish Persians for destruction of Athens. Pothos moment as it fulfilled vengeance motif of campaign.

330BCE, A 3.19

Darius’ death. After his death Darius’ body sent back to Persepolis and buried in royal tomb of Persian kings.

330BCE, A 3.23

Sogdian rock. Cant’ tolerate refusal and/or challenge to his authority. He was challenged to conquer something that was deemed ‘impenetrable’. Demonstrates his adaptability that enables him to complete challenges.

327BCE, A 4.30

Nysa. Emulates Dionysus. Founded more cities than Dionysus and ventured further than him to which chief of Nysa said how he had surpassed achievements of Dionysus.

326BCE, A 5.2

Mutiny at Beas river. Submits and allowed men to go home after unfavourable omen. Tries to save image by sacrificing listening only to the gods. Pragmatic as if concede - weakness and men had power to make decisions

326BCE, A 5.29

Gedrosium Desert. Emulate Cyrus and wife Semiramis who failed to cross. Pragmatic - allowed set up supply depots and dig wells. Restores invincible reputation lost at Beas. Honours Cyrus’ legacy also showing Macedonians are better

325BCE, A 6, P 66