How important is Euripides to Alexander?

[jan]

I have read the tragedy of Iphegenia at Aulis by Euripides, and am wondering at how much influence this story of Achilles may have been on Alexander.
I had read somewhere that Euripides is one of Alexander's favorites. This poem struck me as quite an inspiration for Alexander's desire to defeat the Persians. For me, it helped to defend his thinking. What do you think?

[amyntoros]

I've read the play and saw a performance of Iphigenia at Aulis only a couple of months ago. Though I was quite caught up in the action and cried my eyes out at the end (yes, I'm an old fool that way), I can't say that anything in the play caused me to think of it inspiring Alexander's decisions. Euripides was extremely popular in Macedonia - Cleitus was able to quote him as well - and I don't believe that Alexander was necessarily "influenced" by Euripides just because he liked his plays. I mean, I liked Kill Bill but I'm not about to go out and get into a sword fight! And if I *was* going to agree that Euripides had any effect on Alexander, I'd choose the Bacchae as a more likely candidate and suggest that it influenced the razing of Thebes. :-)Best regards,Amyntoros

[jan]

Hi Linda Ann, I am so happy you were able to see the play. That is wonderful, and thanks for the tip about the razing of Thebes. I will read it next. I was truly inspired by the story as it seemed to me that the sorrow of Iphegenia is that it did not stop the rape and carnage against Greece which is why I thought it more or less supported Alexander's determination to do to the Persians what the Greeks had done to Troy. For the same kind of reasons...
I could sense the influence of Achilles on Alexander for wanting to do right by Iphegenia and the Greek troops. It is a beautiful story, and I am convinced that the acts of heroism in it had an influence. Very enobling kind of treatment. I would have loved to have seen you at the play. The editor's comment that I read compared her to Joan of Arc.

[ruthaki]

I'm sure A. enjoyed Euripides plays but there were also other dramatists who were enormously popular who he also would have been very familiar with.
I've seen quite a few, some performed (in Greek) at the ancient sites. I love Greek dramas! So no doubt he would have been influenced somewhat (especially when he was a young student with Aristotle). The theatre was an important part of life in ancient Greece, especially at the healing shrines (part of the psycho-therapy.)