New last ref. to Alexander's body

[Taphoi]

I have an article on, "The Death of ALexander the Great" and a short news article, "Is the body of ATG in Venice?", in the Sept-Oct 2004 issue of Minerva.The Venice theory news article notes (for the first time in print?) that a new latest reference to Alexander's body in Alexandria has been found by Judith McKenzie. Writing in about AD390, Libanius mentions, "Alexandria, where the corpse of Alexander is displayed" in Orations 49.12. The emperor Theodosius outlawed paganism in AD391. In that year the Serapeum, a pagan temple, was destroyed by the Christians in Alexandria. The first reliable reference to the tomb of St Mark in Alexandria by Palladius also dates to the end of the 4th century. St Mark's body is now in Venice.

[susan]

AndrewJust a quick thought - how up-to-date would Libanius' comment and knowledge have been? I wonder if he would have known if Alexanders' body had been moved in the last 20 years or so before he wrote ? Where did he write - was it Rome ? Presumably, as there's no later mention of Alexander's body, either being moved or still being in situ, it may not have caused great interest either way. Still, it's an interesting comment. I found an online version but it seemed quite abridged - can you post a couple of lines for the context ?
Susan

[Taphoi]

Hi,Libanius was based in Antioch. There would have been commercial traffic between Antioch and Alexandria all the time. By sea the journey was probably less than a week. The context is an address to the emperor Theodosius complaining about the misbehaviour of councillors in the cities of the Eastern Empire, including the desecration of tombs. He seems to be citing the display of Alexander's corpse as an instance of this. Here is a longer quotation:-"Who could be the friend of such as these? When they behave like this for moneyGÇÖs sake, would they keep their hands off temple offerings or tombs? If they were travelling with some companion who had a gold piece, would they not kill him and rob him of it, if they had the chance. And this evil, King, is universal, whether you mention Paltus or Alexandria where the corpse of Alexander is displayed, whether Balaneae or our own city [Antioch]. They may differ in size, but the same ailment afflicts them all."There will be more evidence, information and discussion in my book, which should be out in just over a month. I am inhibited in how much I can say until then. Sorry!