level 3 Classics - Alexander the Great, Policy of Fusion

Callisthenes refused to prostrate, Plutarch

“Indeed he [callisthenes] was the only person to voice openly his disapproval of what all the best and oldest of the Macedonians presented in their hearts”

Alexander refused to kiss callisthenes, Plutarch

“Then I shall go away poorer for a kiss”

Ian Worthington - proskynesis

“To the Greeks, proskynesis should only be performed before a statue of god or dead hero, but to Alexander’s Asian subjects it was social protocol and held no religious bearing”

Persian prostrated himself at en evening meal and Alexander acknowledged him with a kiss - Hamilton J.R

“Thereby gracefully acknowledging in Persian fashion in response to the act of Proskynesis that the man was his equal”

Callisthenes doesn’t prostrate for Alex - Adrian

“He [callisthenes] went towards Alexander to kiss him but without offering obeisance” Arrian

Susa weddings culture - Arrian

“The weddings were solemnised in the Persian fashion”

Alexander compared to his people - Arrian

“The king was the first to be married, for all the weddings were celebrated in the same manner and in this ceremony he [alexander] was thought to have shown even more than his customary approachability and comradeship”

Modern historian J.R Hamilton describes the Susa weddings as

“The culmination of Alexander’s Policy of Fusion”

At the mutiny Alex leapt up and ordered his staff officers to - Arrian

“Arrest the most prominent of these who had stirred up the rank and file”

Paul Artus says Alex needed in his army:

“Simply need more highly trained men in his army no matter what their race”

Who did Alex release? Arrian

“Releasing from the army those who, because of old age or disablement, were no longer fit for service”

What did Alex give his dismissed soldiers? Arrian

“He would give them enough to make them more envied by those at home and to rouse the enthusiasm of the Macedonians to share the same hardships and dangers”

Mixed babies? Arrian

“If any of them had children by Asiatic wives, Alexander told them to leave them with him and not make trouble”

What was held to celebrate? Paul Artus

“A great feast was held to make the end of his differences and reconciliation of Macedonians and Persians”

Ian Worthington describes the dismissed/retired soldiers as

“Honourably discharged”

What did his men do when he hid, Ian Worthington

“His men threw down their arms in front of the palace and in great consternation begged for forgiveness”

What was the seating situation at the great feast? Ian Worthington

“On either side of him were Macedonians then Greeks then fanning out Persians and other races”

During the banquet what did Alexander stand up and pray for? Arrian

“Various blessings and in particular that the Persians and Macedon”s might exercise a joint rule in harmony”