Aristotle and ATG

[Yassar]

Hello allKind regards. I was wondering if anyone could highlight what titles of Aristotle's contain to any extent information supplied by Alexander's expedition. For example, Aristotle made great advances in botany, in large part due to Alexander's expedition involving field scientists. Do any books of Aristotle have statements directly or indiectly attributable to Alexander's campaign?SincerelyYassar

[amyntoros]

Hello Yassar:Unfortunately, I havenGÇÖt found any specific reference to works of Aristotle on botany that contain statements directly or indirectly attributable to AlexanderGÇÖs campaign. There is one footnote though in a nineteenth century volume of Strabo that refers to the inscription on the tomb of Sardanapalus GÇô GÇ£Sardanapalus, the Son of Anacyndaraxes, built Tarsus in One Day. Eat, Drink, Be Merry, Everything Else is Not Worth That.GÇ¥ Though this was recorded by Aristobulus who didnGÇÖt write his history of Alexander until he was in his eighties, presumably this information and more was sent back to Greece and Macedonia on a regular basis. AristotleGÇÖs comment was GÇ£What better inscription could you have for a tomb, not of a king, but of an ox.GÇ¥ See Cicero, Tusc. Quaes. iii. 35. :-)Now IGÇÖm not familiar with Herodotus and there is a possibility that Aristotle could have gleaned the information on the tomb from that writer. IGÇÖm sure Jona or Nick can clarify if that is the case. Best regards,Linda Ann

[marcus]

I don't think the Sardanapalus inscription is in Herodotus. I think it is mentioned in Curtius (and maybe in Arrian?). The problem is that when I don't have my books in front of me I can't check, and some of these things get confused and merged; and I could be completely wrong! :-)All the bestMarcus

[amyntoros]

I am assuming myself that the news of the inscription came back to Greece via Alexander's campaigns, though I do know what they say about "never assume." But Aristotle's remark about Sardanapalus is such a low blow. isn't it? It's an excellent example of how little Aristotle thought of the "Barbarians," especially when compared with how much his most famous pupil differed in this opinion. I can just imagine how often Aristotle must have discussed his attitude with Alexander, yet it seems to have had little effect on him. Definitely a student with a mind of his own!Best regards,Linda Ann

[yiannis]

"not of a king, but of an ox"!!!
Ouch! that must have hurt...