pothos.org

They say never judge a book by it’s cover. But with a few dozen books on my reading list already, that’s what I’ve been reduced to doing. Picked up Pressfield’s ‘Afghan Campaign’ and read the blurb at the back the other day. IMHO, it seemed he was more intent on making a point about the modern ‘Afgh...

I see this has turned into a conversation about the actor who plays Xerxes in the movie 300. I must admit, I didn't find him too attractive in the movie, but I see that he was number 12 in People Magazine's 2006 Sexiest Man Alive, and on People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful list in 2004. You still m...

To be so careless and to fight with one of Alexander's closest confidants was foolish I believe in Alexander's eyes as well. According to some Hepahestion and Craterus had their swords drawn and were about to go at one another. Shocked Not only that but their respective men were about to go at it t...

Hehe... i guess there were very few non-homicidal women or men involved in Alexander's IV's life. The Succession Wars weren't pretty...

I hope not like he was dressed in this movie :P This movie is not to be seen as a historical representation. Just as an enjoyable epic movie. It has symbolisms. Which are obvious. The ephors, the orc like soldiers, and all that, i think are good representations of the feeling you get for each perso...

All good points, indeed, and they forced me to think about them for a long time, after which I’ve managed to come with some ideas to salvage my theory (hey! You wouldn’t expect me to retreat so easily, would you? :D ). Ahh.. the downfall of all great revolutions... infighting. :P Here I guess we ha...

There might be something to this leaving a beautiful corpse business. I wonder why Alexander wanted to look like a youth even in his 30s. I'm sure his shaving resulted in a few eunuch jokes in Persia. :) The romantic side of me likes to think Hephaistion's death was a factor here. What do you guys t...

Paralus wrote: Too little time to do this justice: I've a dozen people comming over for a symposium and a pig.

Thanks for the information Paralus. I like the bird's eye view we get from you on these matters. Did the pig enjoy the Symposium?

Efstathios, There was something about the invading swarthy barbarian hordes in the trailer that made me kinda uncomfortable... On the other hand, I do have a minor crush on the guy who plays Xerxes... That together with your recommendation just tipped the balance... I'll just have to get it out now....

Butchery in India - I see both Alejandro and Amyntoros’ points about India. I myself sway a bit over this at times. “Less advanced” India - I’m not sure about Alejandro’s “less advanced” theory as a reason for the brutality in India though. This is possibly a modern take on things. If one looks at ...

Great question kenny! Hehe rjones... about the chimps... I wonder if empire is a bit more than the schoolyard bully taking the small kid's lunch money though? There is definitely a lot accompanying the military institution. Control of trade, information, education, culture, even language... Every em...

Alejandro, I've loved your posts in this thread, especially the last one. I agree with pretty much everything except this: I don’t think that he was “less cruel” before India, it’s just that different scenarios demanded different “conquering solutions”. To both alejandro and amyntoros, Here I'm goin...

I've read a few opinions that in Gaugamela, it was Darius' troops that deserted him, not the other way around. It's probably too late to unpick the war propaganda that followed 2 millennia after the fact. :) Before he became Great King, Both Justin and Diodorus claim Darius III distinguished himself...

Didn't daddy Phillip take the kingdom from a child too young to rule? What happened to Darius' young son, the one Alexander saw in the Persian harem? It seems that if you're too young to rule, you're too young to keep your position and perhaps your life. I can't help to think though, could anyone - ...

To add to the Spartan treatment of Helots, where was it that I read that the Athenian population was 4/5ths comprised of slaves at one point? I am a huge admirer of Greek civilization but these populist TV shows that don't allow for any nuances have always irritated me. Does the viewer deserve to ha...