A son of Alexander in 326, cont'd

[xxx]

Fantasy recreations? Ah well, so much for serious discussion. Time to move on.

[amyntoros]

Whoah! What happened here? I was referring to myself and the fantasy situation that *I* had created regarding Alexander having left a son back in Macedonia. If that offends somehow...

[amyntoros]

Alexander, thanks for the book reference. I certainly think it's worth taking a look at it. This book, at least, is within my budget!And Marcus, not unexpectedly, IGÇÖm in total agreement with your post, although I did try my hardest every time I wrote to avoid using the term GÇÿdead babyGÇÖ! I suspect that I caused a wandering-away from my original intent when I used Philip as an example, although the reference to him still applies. Actually, I canGÇÖt think off-hand of other references to a deceased infant in any of the ancient histories, before or after Alexander, and logic says that there must have been many such instances, obviously not considered worth of record. IGÇÖve wondered myself why the Metz Epitome would mention the death. Could it be because AlexanderGÇÖs wife was on campaign with him, a very unusual circumstance for a Macedonian king, perhaps one worthy of mention by at least one lost primary historian? In fact, apart from Roxane being with Alexander at Babylon (where she could have been summoned from anywhere, if we think about it) it appears that it is this same single reference in the Metz Epitome that tells us Roxane *was* on campaign with Alexander. I could be wrong, but I don't remember any other mention.Amyntoros

[Linda]

I understand the issues in assessing infant mortality - also in a society which was plagued with wars, or drought, or plagues(!) it would be hard to get consistency from year to year probably. So far, all I have come up with is contracts with wet-nurses in ancient Egypt, which is a fascinating enough concept for the moment!Linda