A question about The Pixodarus Affair

[Nicator]

Hello All,Is the consensus that Alexander involved himself with Pixodarus before Chaeronea, or after? Green seems to think after. later Nicator

[Jeanne]

It was definitely after Chaeroneia, and after Philip's last wedding, as well. Whether he made the initial overtures while in exile or after he came back ... THAT'S a matter of some debate involved with timing and the ancient accounts (and logic).Dr. Jeanne

[marcus]

I had certainly always got the impression that it happened after Chaironea. Off the top of my head I can think of two reasons:First, Philip surely needed to settle affairs in Greece before he could begin properly to plan his invasion of Asia. Therefore it is unlikely that he will have proposed the marriage alliance to Pixodarus until he knew where he stood in Greece. Second, I believe it is uncontested that those who were exiled over the affair (Ptolemy, Nearchus, Harpalus, Erigyius and Laomedon(?)) did not return to court until Alexander was king. I would be surprised if they had been in exile for a whole 18 months to 2 years over the affair.Both these reasons are supposition, of course; but they are pretty logical, I'd say.All the bestMarcus

[agesilaos]

The sources, Plutarch, places it after Chaironeaia but doubt as to the authenticity of the story exists and is quite reasonable since Arrian omits all mention of the affair in his sketch of Carian history I 23 vii, and fails to mention it as a reason for the exile of Ptolemy et al, III 6 vi, merely citing their support for Alexander when strife arosebetween him and Philip over the marriage to Eurydike/Kleopatra and the side lining of Olympias. The story would seem to belong to the sensationalist school which also has Alexander exiled and Olympias divorced neither of which is likely.