Olympias and Queen Ada

[dean]

Hello,Just reading today about Alexander's becoming the son of Queen Ada of Caria. It made me curious to wonder what Olympias must have thought. Maybe the adoption was all taken tongue in cheek.It does seem a proposterous proposition... However Alexander did seem to be the darling of "older ladies." What was the real idea behind this unusual "adoption"? Was it to make it easier to oust Ada's brother, "Pixodarus"?Best regards,
Dean.

[ruthaki]

It was likely just an 'adoption' figuratively speaking. (Like he became her surrogate 'son').

[marcus]

Pixodarus was dead by the time Alexander got to Halicarnassus.However, it was a purely political gesture, quite rightly as you said to help legitimise his conquest of Caria. It meant that, when Ada eventually died, Alexander would be her legitimate successor.All the bestMarcus

[marcus]

Pixodarus was dead by the time Alexander got to Halicarnassus.However, it was a purely political gesture, quite rightly as you said to help legitimise his conquest of Caria. It meant that, when Ada eventually died, Alexander would be her legitimate successor.All the bestMarcus

[dean]

Hello,I didn't realise that Pixodarus was dead at this particular time. I believed for some reason that Ada had entreated Alexander via this unusual adoption to oust her brother- it is true what they say, you learn something new every day.Best regards,
Dean.

[marcus]

Hi Dean,I'm not entirely sure when Pixodarus died, but his place was taken by his son-in-law Orontobates (who presumably married the daughter previously offered to Arrhidaios) and who 'extended' Ada's exile. If the Pixodarus business occurred in early 336, as if often assumed, then he must have kicked the proverbial bucket pretty soon afterwards.All the bestMarcus

[dean]

Hi Marcus,Good old Manfredi, whose book, "The sands of Ammon" I am reading at the moment says that after Halicarnassus, Oronbatanes(think that is his name) and Memnon and Pixodarus leave the town and head for the Persian fleet which is just moored off the coast of Halicarnassus- so I presume that Manfredi made a technical error most people would have overlooked.Take care,
Dean.

[marcus]

Yep, I'm pretty sure he did.I have to say, however, that I'm not sure whether it is ever explicitly stated that Pixodarus had died. However, as he was satrap of Caria and as in the sources Orontobates is described as satrap, the obvious conclusion is that Pix had crossed the Styx ...M

[dean]

Hello,Yes you have a point about his crossing the styx- plus I was reading too in Green's book too last night and he clearly makes a mention of Pixodarus being dead.Have a great weekend!!!!Dean.

[agesilaos]

Try Arrian I 23 viii 'Pixodaros,however turned her out of government and held power himself. ON HIS DEATH Orontobates,his brother-in-law was sent down by the king...'