Philip and Alexander

Ancient readings:
Isocrates: To Philip
Diodorus 16.1.4, 16.84-95, 17.1-16
Arrian I.1-12.5
Plutarch, Alexander 2-14
Justin 9.3-8, 11.1-5

Modern Readings:
Hamilton, J. R. "Alexander's Early Life." Greece & Rome 12 (1965): 117-124
Badian, E. "The Death of Philip II." Phoenix 17 (1963): 244-250
Badian, E. "Once More the Death of Philip II." Archaia Makedonia 7 (2007): 389-406.

Questions:

  1. What omens does Plutarch describe surrounding Alexander’s birth and what do they signify? Do you think they occurred or were they invented later?
  2. What is Plutarch trying to show with his account of the youth of Alexander? How does it fit in with his overall purposes?
  3. What does the episode with Bucephalas reveal about Alexander’s character and his relationship with Philip? What parts of the episode might be folkloric in origin? 
  4. Based on Plutarch, how well-versed in Greek culture do the Macedonians seem to be? What does this show about them?
  5. What does Isocrates want Philip to do? How does this differ from Isocrates' proposals in the Panegyricus?
  6. Why does Philip take another wife and upset his succession plans for Alexander? Think about what the ancient sources say, but try and consider other reasons as well.
  7. What do Justin/Trogus and Diodorus reveal about Philip's plans at the time of his death?
  8. How does Philip die? What evidence is there for a conspiracy against him? Who are the most likely candidates behind Pausanias? Can you make the case that Alexander might have been behind his father's murder?
  9. What does the ascension of Alexander as King of Macedonia reveal about Macedonian society and customs, and the relationship between subjects and king? Why might Arrian have omitted this?
  10. What do Alexander's first campaigns reveal about his abilities as a general and leader of men? What aspects does Arrian particularly highlight?
  11. Why do the Thebans revolt? Why does Alexander take such harsh actions towards Thebes and what does this reveal about his character?
  12. What is the point of the incident with Timocleia that Plutarch recounts?
  13. How do Arrian and Diodorus differ in their presentation of the sack and destruction of Thebes and what does this show about them and their sources?
© Charles E. Muntz 2011-2024