The World Reeking of Alexander's Corpse

[Vergina Sun]

Hello everyone,

Recently I picked up a book called "Alexander the Conqueror" by Laura Foreman (It's a lovely book if you're looking for Alexander in images). She started out by using this quote, "Alexander dead? Impossible! The world would reek of his corpse!" which she attributed to a local orator in Athens. Does anyone have more information on this quote (who said it, what the context was, etc.) because it is the first time I have ever heard of it. I think it's an interesting quote, and would like to learn more about it, if possible. Thanks in advance!

[amyntoros]

Hello everyone,

Recently I picked up a book called "Alexander the Conqueror" by Laura Foreman (It's a lovely book if you're looking for Alexander in images). She started out by using this quote, "Alexander dead? Impossible! The world would reek of his corpse!" which she attributed to a local orator in Athens. Does anyone have more information on this quote (who said it, what the context was, etc.) because it is the first time I have ever heard of it. I think it's an interesting quote, and would like to learn more about it, if possible. Thanks in advance!

Here it is:

Plutarch's Lives; Phocion 22 The first person that brought the news of Alexander's death was Asclepiades the son of Hipparchus. Demades desired the people to give no credit to it: " For," said he, " if Alexander were dead, the whole world would smell the carcass." And Phocion, seeing the Athenians elated, and inclined to raise new commotions, endeavoured to keep them quiet. Many of the orators, however, ascended the rostrum, and assured the people that the tidings of Asclepiades were true. " Well then," said Phocion, " if Alexander is dead to-day, he will be so to-morrow, and the day following; so that we may deliberate on that event at our leisure, and take our measures with safety."

Best regards,

[Vergina Sun]

Oh, thank you very much Amyntoros!

[karen]

This is why I call Amyntoros "the Quote Goddess!"

Cheers to all from Athens,
Karen

[amyntoros]

This is why I call Amyntoros "the Quote Goddess!"

Well thank you, but I must give credit also to Marcus. We worked together transcribing sources and making searchable electronic files of everything we could find on Alexander, but because he teaches during the day (and also because of the different time zones) I am often the first to find the quotes. However, without Marcus I'd still be sitting on the floor with a huge pile of books exclaiming "Now exactly where did I see that reference?"

Cheers to all from Athens,

You've arrived in Athens and you're on the computer already? Well, I do hope you're writing on a laptop whilst sitting in a nice little tavern gazing upon the Acropolis!

Best regards,

[marcus]

Well thank you, but I must give credit also to Marcus. We worked together transcribing sources and making searchable electronic files of everything we could find on Alexander, but because he teaches during the day (and also because of the different time zones) I am often the first to find the quotes. However, without Marcus I'd still be sitting on the floor with a huge pile of books and exclaiming "Now exactly where did I see that reference?"

Amyntoros is too kind. (Not that I'm complaining about the puff, of course! ) She did much more of the leg-work of transcription than I did.

ATB

[Paralus]

Karen's sitting in the roof bar at the Attalos more likely.

Have they updated the computers on the first floor? If you've a card reader you should be able to post photos....

[karen]

One better, Paralus... I have a camera that connects straight to computer via a USB port. YES I WILL send pics and post them on the travelblog also (http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/ka ... /tpod.html

I knew I was going to be writing more than I'd be able to on hotel machines so I brought my laptop and, as it turns out, the wireless service at the Attalos does get to your room, at least some of the time. Does it get to the roof bar? I'll find out tonight, I think. I'm going to phone Efstathios a bit later.... maybe send him a PM right now too.

Warmly... I mean REALLY warmly (it's 32 C in Athens right now)
Karen

[Paralus]

Does it get to the roof bar? I'll find out tonight, I think. I'm going to phone Efstathios a bit later.... maybe send him a PM right now too.

Don't know about the wireless service but I certainly did...with monotonous regularity.

Sophia will sort out with a view of the Acropolis to boot.

Have a Mythos (or red) with Stathi for me will you? He's a good bloke that one. Smokes too much...

[karen]

Hey Paralus: this one's for you.



The tall, dark and handsome guy is Efstathios.

Notice the pack of cigs... not mine.

There actually isn't wireless on the roof (I was faking it) as it's on the Internet floor and fades out the further away you go. Fortunately it works nicely in the breakfast room which is where I am now.

Onward to Chaeroneia...

[Paralus]

...I was faking it...

Not going there.

Hey Stathi you handsome bugger! I should be having a red in that photo.

Karen: Listen close for I will say this only once....

I am soooo JEALOUS!

Much time (too much) did I spend there. Nothing like a Macedonian red with a view.

Enjoy it to the hilt...

All of this is doing my "grumpy", minimalist image no end of harm. Who'd have thought it??

By the way, how'd you post a photo so large on the bloody site?