Search found 403 matches
- Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:22 am
- Forum: Book reviews
- Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
- Replies: 71
- Views: 29436
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...
- Tue Sep 21, 2010 4:31 am
- Forum: Alexander's contemporaries
- Topic: Experts question claim that Arrhidaios is buried at Vergina
- Replies: 10
- Views: 5007
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 ...
- Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:44 am
- Forum: Book reviews
- Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
- Replies: 71
- Views: 29436
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...
- Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:34 am
- Forum: Book reviews
- Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
- Replies: 71
- Views: 29436
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...
- Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:43 am
- Forum: Art and Culture
- Topic: Tomb of Cyrus I
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2135
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...
- Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:23 am
- Forum: Alexander's contemporaries
- Topic: Experts question claim that Arrhidaios is buried at Vergina
- Replies: 10
- Views: 5007
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.
- Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:10 am
- Forum: Book reviews
- Topic: Rereading fire from heaven
- Replies: 71
- Views: 29436
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...
- Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:33 am
- Forum: Art and Culture
- Topic: Tomb of Cyrus I
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2135
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...
- Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:58 am
- Forum: Book reviews
- Topic: Has anyone read this new novel yet?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 7889
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...
- 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...
- Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:18 am
- Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
- Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
- Replies: 37
- Views: 11610
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...
- Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:02 am
- Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
- Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
- Replies: 37
- Views: 11610
Re: Latest on Alexander's death
Not the same!Taphoi wrote:Philip II also claimed divinity.
- Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:01 am
- Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
- Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
- Replies: 37
- Views: 11610
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...
- Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:56 am
- Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
- Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
- Replies: 37
- Views: 11610
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)...
- Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:22 am
- Forum: Discuss Alexander the Great
- Topic: Latest on Alexander's death
- Replies: 37
- Views: 11610
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.