A handful of dust

[dean]

Hello,

Just heard recently of a story regarding Alexander that I hadn't read before.
Alexander sent 4 Afgan's to his mother with a handful of dust when she asked him why it was taking so long for him to "take" Bactria".

Alexander was trying to prove that the Afgan's would fight over anything and probably never deliver.

I suppose that the despatch proved his point.
I read the story on "In the footsteps of Alexander"- there are no details as to where the story is from and I don't remember reading it in the usual sources. Can anyone shine any light? To be honest, it is uncanny reading his report of the journey- he goes right through Afganistan and pays for protection against the "Talibans" who at the time are referred to as "local warlords." And the whole description of the journey around that area is of a world where there exists prettty little law and about as wartorn as you can imagine- God knows what it is like today after increased "action" in the area.


Best regards,
Dean

[marcus]

Just heard recently of a story regarding Alexander that I hadn't read before.
Alexander sent 4 Afgan's to his mother with a handful of dust when she asked him why it was taking so long for him to "take" Bactria".

Alexander was trying to prove that the Afgan's would fight over anything and probably never deliver.

Hi Dean,

The story must be a local Pashtun legend, because it isn't in the sources as far as I'm aware (unless it crops up in Strabo, perhaps?). I have the book of "In the Footsteps ..." where it might be referenced, but typically it isn't to hand at the moment.

Good little story, though!

ATB