City of Perita???

[Sandra]

Hello, Companions! I am quite surprised about one thing - maybe I didn't know that... Yesterday I watched some game ( Who wants to be a millionare) and there was a question regarding ATG. Question was like - all his new-founded cities ATG called Alexandria, excepting one, which he named Perita in honour of his dog. Was that right? If so- where this information comes from? Thanks!

[marcus]

Hello, Companions! I am quite surprised about one thing - maybe I didn't know that... Yesterday I watched some game ( Who wants to be a millionare) and there was a question regarding ATG. Question was like - all his new-founded cities ATG called Alexandria, excepting one, which he named Perita in honour of his dog. Was that right? If so- where this information comes from? Thanks!

Well, it isn't correct, because he also founded one called Bucephala, after his horse. In fact, it is more likely that Bucephala existed and that Perita didn't.

As it happens, he also founded one called Nicaea; but, to be honest, in all probability these cities were all Alexandrias, too - it would have been "Alexandria Bucephala", "Alexandria Nicaea" and "Alexandria Perita".

Sounds as if the Millionnaire chaps have got it wrong.

ATB

[Callisto]

Plutarch mentions this event and gives as the source of this report, Sokion. Sokion says he heard it from Potamon of Lesbos. The event was also mentioned by Theopompus [FGrH 115 F340]

[athenas owl]

Didn't he name one "Anticipation" (can't remember the Greek word off the top of my head)?

Around Farah somewhere after the Philotas incident.

[marcus]

Didn't he name one "Anticipation" (can't remember the Greek word off the top of my head)?

Around Farah somewhere after the Philotas incident.

It's something like Prophthasia ...

ATB

[keroro]

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I've been re-reading Plutarch's Life of Alexander recently and found this just after the Hydaspes:

61 His horse Bucephal died at this battle, not in the field, but afterwards whilst he was in curefor the wounds he had on his body: but as Onesicritus saith, he died even worn for very age. Alexander was as sorry for his death, as if he had lost any of his familiar friends: and for proof thereof, he built a great city in the place where his horse was buried, Bucephalia. It is reported also, that having lost a dog of his called Peritas, which he had brought up of a whelp, and loved very dearly, he built also a city, and called it after his name. Sotion writeth, that he heard it reported thus of Potamon Lesbian.

So, Plutarch has two cities not named Alexandria, though as marcus says they were probably known as Alexandria Bucephalia and Alexandria Peritas.

[marcus]

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I've been re-reading Plutarch's Life of Alexander recently and found this just after the Hydaspes:

61 His horse Bucephal died at this battle, not in the field, but afterwards whilst he was in curefor the wounds he had on his body: but as Onesicritus saith, he died even worn for very age. Alexander was as sorry for his death, as if he had lost any of his familiar friends: and for proof thereof, he built a great city in the place where his horse was buried, Bucephalia. It is reported also, that having lost a dog of his called Peritas, which he had brought up of a whelp, and loved very dearly, he built also a city, and called it after his name. Sotion writeth, that he heard it reported thus of Potamon Lesbian.

And it looks as if you've been reading Dryden's translation, too ...

ATB

[amyntoros]

What about the city/colony that Alexander founded at age 16 when Philip was away at Byzantium? Alexander named it Alexandroupolis.

Okay ... Alexandria ... Alexandroupolis ... he still named it after himself. But technically it's not an Alexandria.

Best regards,

[keroro]

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I've been re-reading Plutarch's Life of Alexander recently and found this just after the Hydaspes:

61 His horse Bucephal died at this battle, not in the field, but afterwards whilst he was in curefor the wounds he had on his body: but as Onesicritus saith, he died even worn for very age. Alexander was as sorry for his death, as if he had lost any of his familiar friends: and for proof thereof, he built a great city in the place where his horse was buried, Bucephalia. It is reported also, that having lost a dog of his called Peritas, which he had brought up of a whelp, and loved very dearly, he built also a city, and called it after his name. Sotion writeth, that he heard it reported thus of Potamon Lesbian.

And it looks as if you've been reading Dryden's translation, too ...

ATB

Very true. It does have a rather quaint style. What is considered to be the most accurate translation (by way of being closest to the wording of the original)?