Thebes' destruction!

[smittysmitty]

as the birthplace of Heracles, was the destruction of Thebes by ATG a sound thing to do? and how does this reflect on the Argead's well publicised family origin as Heraclids?

[marcus]

I thought Heracles was supposed to have been born in the Argolid, not Thebes.Or am I going bonkers?All the bestMarcus

[marcus]

Maybe I'm not going bonkers - I've just seen that Argos and Thebes *both* claimed Heracles. But what was the current story in Alexander's time? While he was dashing about southern Turkey he spared one town because it had been founded by settlers from Argos, and because of Heracles' connection with Argos Alexander spared the city ...Still, even if Al did identify Heracles with Thebes, I wouldn't have thought that destroying Thebes would have been a problem. If there were any shrines to Heracles then no doubt Alexander spared them.All the bestMarcus(Written very hurriedly, as you can no doubt tell)

[smittysmitty]

You must be going bonkers Marcus! (jk)I'm pretty certain Thebes is his birthplace,(never heard/read of the Argive line). Furthermore another significant god in Dionysus also claims Thebes as his birthplace (although from what I've read on Dionysus, he may have originated in Asia - but then again so might have Heracles hehe!Yes, the temples were spared - but not much use to anyone as the town was (as you know) completely destroyed and its population sold into slavery. At least he could have taken the temples apart and relocated them in Macedon.At the end of the day, his actions were extreme considering as I have said, Thebes being the birthplace of Heracles and Dionysos!
It can't have looked too good to the gods looking down from Olympus, now could it?

[amyntoros]

I recently read about Thebes being the birthplace of Heracles, and wouldn't you know, I have no idea what book I was reading at the time! Still, there is this from Isocrates' "published" letter to Philip, which Alexander surely read:Address to Philip of Isocrates (32)"Now you will realize that it is not becoming in you to disregard any of these cities if you will review their conduct in relation to your ancestors; for you will find that each one of them is to be credited with great friendship and important services to your house: Argos is the land of your fathers, and is entitled to as much consideration at your hands as are your own ancestors; the Thebans honour the founder of your race, both by processionals and sacrifices, beyond all the other gods."Best regards,Linda Ann

[smittysmitty]

Hi Linda,
I think the confusion regarding Argos may come from the Argeads claiming descent from Temenos, a Heraclid from Argos. However, in the case of Heracles himself, he most definately was born in Thebes, or at least everything I've ever read has indicated so.

[ruthaki]

Maybe, Marcus, you got the idea because Herakles trotted around the Peloponnese (Nemea is there).
At any rate, if Alexander spared the family members of Pindar the poet, as he was supposed to have done, I'm sure he made certain any shrines to Herakles were left intact and not desecrated.

[marcus]

I've definitely read that Argos claimed Heracles as well, even though (as I concede) the claim of Thebes is better known, and accepted. I seem to recall that the Argive claim was because H's parents were from the Argolid, and were in exile in Thebes at the time of his birth.Plutarch says that Al attributed the death of Kleitos, and the Hyphasis mutiny, on the anger of Dionysos, in revenge for the destructon of Thebes. Whether that's true or not, certainly no mention of Heracles there ... for what it's worth as far as Smitty's question is concerned.All the bestMarcus