Alexander becoming Persian

What three factors contributed to Alexander becoming Persian?

Policy of fusion, Murder of Philotas and Parmenio, Conspiracy of the Pages

What was the purpose of Alexander’s Policy of fusion?

To combine the kingships of Macedonia and Persia

Why did Alexander attempt to implement his policy off usion?

He didn’t want to destroy Persia and replace it with Macedonian rule

What policies did Alexander implement to fuse Macedonians and Perisans together?

Appointed foreign enemies as Satraps in his provinces, Included Persians in the army, Married and forced other Macedonians to marry Persian women, Showed respect for past Persian kings, Adopted Persian dress, Introduced proskynesis

How did Alexander’s men react to his policy of fusion?

Were hostile towards Alexander’s attempts to introduce his policy of fusion, They felt the Persians should be treated as a defeated enemy

Why did Alexander’s men react with hostility towards his policy of fusion?

They didn’t share Alexander’s vision for an empire jointly ruled by Macedonians and Persians

What was the nature of Macedonian kingship?

Were addressed as an equal to other Macedonians, wore the same clothes as other macedonians, Men were on frank and easy terms with their king

What was the nature of Persian Kingship?

They had an exalted status, regarded as a representative of god on earth, wore extravagent dress, subjects performed proskynesis

What is proskynesis?

A ceremonial act acknowledging a superior which subjects did before Persian kings, is not an implication of worship

Who did Persians prostrate themselves before?

The king

Who did the Greeks and Macedonians prostrate themselves before?

The gods

What are the possible reasons why Alexander attempted to establish proskynesis?

An attempt to be recognised as a god or to further his policy of fusion

Who objected to Alexander’s attempted to establish proskynesis?

Callistenes

Why did Callistenes object to the practice of proskynesis?

Saw it as a degrading act and a barbaric custom that implied worship even though Alexander wasn’t a god

Why couldn’t Alexander tell the Persians to stop prostrating themselves before him?

If he told them to stop, it would lower his position in their eyes

When did the Susa Weddings occur?

324BC

Why did Alexander give wedding gifts to Macedonians who had already married Persian women?

It was an attempt to improve relations with his troops

What did Macedonians married at the Susa weddings do after Alexander’s men and what did their actions show?

They divorced their Persian wives which showed how unpopular it was with the Macedonians

When did the murder of Philotas and Parmenio occur?

330BC

Why did Alexander have Philotas executed?

He refused to let a man who had information about a plot against Alexander to see him, Alexander wanted to get rid of his hostile influence

Why did Alexander have Parmenio killed?

He was in a position to avenge Philotas, He had opposed his policy of fusion, He was popular with his troops, Alexander wanted to get rid of his hostile influence

Why were there questions of Philotas’ loyalty?

He objected to Alexander’s policy of fusion, apparently boasted of his and Parmenio’s achievements while belittling Alexander’s achievements

Why was Alexander fearful of plots?

He was betrayed by Phillip in 337BC; His Macedonian army was against his policy of fusion and resented the employment of Persian satraps, Alexander’s adoption of Persian dress, and the introduction of proskynesis

When did the conspiracy of the pages occur?

327BC

Who lead the conspiracy against Alexander?

Hermolaus

Why did Hermolaus conspire with other pages against Alexander?

Alexander had him whipped and deprived of his horse when Hermolaus killed a wild boar before him

What did the pages claim in trial?

That Alexander’s policies were intolerable, their disapproval of Alexander’s policy of fusion, objected Alexander’s claim of divinity

Who did Ptolemy and Aristobolous say was the one who convinced the pages to kill Alexander?

Callistenes

Why did Alexander and Callistenes relationship become strained?

Callistenes refused to perform proskynesis and made a speech criticising the Macedonians

What did the events of the conspiracy of the pages and the murder of Philotas and Parmenio show about Alexander?

His willingnes to suppress opposition to his policies of fusion and implied divinity and his determination to proceed