When did the Thessalian cavalry come over to Alexander?

[Nicator]

Hello All,This has been a confusing point for a long time. Did the cavalry come to Philip and stay, or return home after Philips death, only to be re-acquired after the lightning campaign into Thessaly by Alexander? Were there several Thessalian factions at work here?later Nicator

[agesilaos]

There were always factions at work in Thessally, Philip himself aligned first with one, the Aluaedae (marrying Philinna mother of Arrhidaios) and later the Penestai (another marriage, Nikesipolis). Philip could call upon the support of Thessally as Archon of the Thessallian koinon; Alexander inherited the position but had to enforce his right by a show of might, and was not troubled thereafter. Many thought the accession of a boy was a chance for freedom, but the rapidity of his response forstalled them.

[Nicator]

Greetings Agesilos,So it was after this show of force that Alexander 're-acquired' the cavalry? Or did he use the Thessalian cavalry from another faction to subdue these Thessalians? Still not sure?later Nicator

[agesilaos]

Unless there is some epigraphic evidence it would be impossible to tell as our only source for Alexander's first descent into Greece is a brief notice at the start of Diodoros XVII. However the lack of fighting and the loyalty of the Thessallians during the campaign might point to a simple demonstration that whilst Macedon was under new management it was every bit as in control as the out-going administration.Factional strife would have led to exiles and resentment which does not seem to be the case.

[marcus]

Karl,Surely that's not right - I'm sure Arrian mentions it at the beginning of Book I (unless I'm going completely mental). He tells of the difficulties posed by the Vale of Tempe and that Alexander had his men cut steps in the side of Mount Ossa.It does therefore suggest that the Thessalians as a whole were thinking of 'downsizing' their Tagos... but that might be too simplistic - after all, as the Thessalians were themselves a federation, there's no reason why *some* should not have held fast to the new regime.All the bestMarcus

[smittysmitty]

Marcus, Arrian makes no mention of the Vale of Tempe, you may be thinking of Bosworth 'Conquest and Empire', and according to Bosworth, this action is only depicted by Polyaenus.