Search found 403 matches

by Semiramis
Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:22 am
Forum: Book reviews
Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
Replies: 71
Views: 29325

Re: Rereading fire from heaven

Hi Andrew , It is probably wrong to suppose that Bagoas did not fight in Alexander's wars. It was quite normal for Persian Royal Eunuchs to fight in wars. Alexander dealt with a Eunuch commander at Gaza. The other Bagoas was a general in the war against Nectanebo in Egypt before he became Chiliarch...
by Semiramis
Tue Sep 21, 2010 4:31 am
Forum: Alexander's contemporaries
Topic: Experts question claim that Arrhidaios is buried at Vergina
Replies: 10
Views: 5001

Re: Experts question claim that Arrhidaios is buried at Verg

Just came across this in the latest issue of New Scientist. It's sort of relevent I think. "Do Egyptian mummies have a right to privacy Medical ethicists are questioning whether researchers should be more considerate of the rights of ancient corpses SHOULD we consider the privacy or reputation ...
by Semiramis
Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:44 am
Forum: Book reviews
Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
Replies: 71
Views: 29325

Re: Rereading fire from heaven

Hi Andrew, No, there is no reason at all. I will assert that it is the same Bagoas that was the trierarch, because the evidence is quite overwhelming that it is so. The only contrary argument has been to claim that a eunuch cannot possibly have risen to such heights under Alexander, which is quite f...
by Semiramis
Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:34 am
Forum: Book reviews
Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
Replies: 71
Views: 29325

Re: Rereading fire from heaven

Hi Dean , I have never read any of the other books Renault published outside of the Alexander trilogy. Is there any particular one that I should especially look out for that is really good? If I had to pick a favourite, it would be 'Last of the Wine'. Be sure to let us know your thoughts about any o...
by Semiramis
Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:43 am
Forum: Art and Culture
Topic: Tomb of Cyrus I
Replies: 5
Views: 2134

Re: Tomb of Cyrus I

Update 2: Wikipedia has significantly changed its entry on the Cylinder since the last Iranian elections. It has suddenly gone from the "first declaration of human rights" by a "widely respected ruler in antiquity" to "propaganta tool" of an "aggressive invader&qu...
by Semiramis
Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:23 am
Forum: Alexander's contemporaries
Topic: Experts question claim that Arrhidaios is buried at Vergina
Replies: 10
Views: 5001

Re: Experts question claim that Arrhidaios is buried at Verg

This is one of those instances where comparing the DNA samples from two putative relatives can help establish familial relationships and consequently help identify the tombs.
by Semiramis
Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:10 am
Forum: Book reviews
Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
Replies: 71
Views: 29325

Re: Rereading fire from heaven

Oddly enough, I too have been rereading Fire From Heaven. She doesn't say so, but I think Mary Renault may be hinting that Alexander could have accompanied Philip when he presided at the Pythian Games at Delphi (although that might have been in September 346 when Alexander would have been 10). Perh...
by Semiramis
Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:33 am
Forum: Art and Culture
Topic: Tomb of Cyrus I
Replies: 5
Views: 2134

Re: Tomb of Cyrus I

Right! Update 1: The British Museum has finally loaned the Cyrus Cylinder to Iran as promised. Update 2: Wikipedia has significantly changed its entry on the Cylinder since the last Iranian elections. It has suddenly gone from the "first declaration of human rights" by a "widely respe...
by Semiramis
Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:58 am
Forum: Book reviews
Topic: Has anyone read this new novel yet?
Replies: 16
Views: 7882

Re: Has anyone read this new novel yet?

I have finally got around to reading this! Only just finished part one. It's not highbrow literature by any stretch of the imagination but engaging in a rip-roaring tale sort of way. :) You do feel submerged in the times, which I feel is important for the historical fiction genre. A lot of aspects o...
by Semiramis
Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:23 am
Forum: 'Off-topic' forum
Topic: Palace of Odysseus??
Replies: 3
Views: 1855

Re: Palace of Odysseus??

Hm.. I should probably read the original paper before shooting my mouth off but there doesn't seem to be any convicing evidence that the Palace had anything to do with any individual called Odysseus (if he existed). Yes, it sounds like the palace Homer described but it is also like a lot of other pa...
by Semiramis
Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:18 am
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
Replies: 37
Views: 11563

Re: Latest on Alexander's death

No, the sources are not clear that the Pages' Conspiracy resulted only from the flogging. They state that Alexander's treatment of Persians and his perceived fondness of Persian culture was a matter of resentment for many, perhaps the majority of Macedonians. Alexander ordered that Hermolaus, a hig...
by Semiramis
Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:02 am
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
Replies: 37
Views: 11563

Re: Latest on Alexander's death

Taphoi wrote:Philip II also claimed divinity.
Not the same! :)
by Semiramis
Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:01 am
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
Replies: 37
Views: 11563

Re: Latest on Alexander's death

Nothing to do with Callisthenes? Alexander's Persianizing tendencies? :) In the first instance the sources are clear that it was the flogging. I think we understand why. Hermolaus needed to kill his boar to achieve the ability to recline at supper, but was short of opportunities. Instead of talking...
by Semiramis
Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:56 am
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
Replies: 37
Views: 11563

Re: Latest on Alexander's death

As for the assassination attempts, the instigators seem to have been inspired by special personal motives: the Conspiracy of the Pages happened simply because Alexander had Hermolaus flogged for having slain the king's prey in the hunt (which was perfectly proper punishment by Macedonian standards)...
by Semiramis
Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:22 am
Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
Replies: 37
Views: 11563

Re: Latest on Alexander's death

I have to agree with Derek and Alexias. Fingy, what Olympias says and what she is convinced of are not necessarily the same things. She was no less shrewd and ambitious than Alexander. ;)