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More from Plutarch - Fortuna....And further, Philotas, the son of Parmenion, had in his licentiousness the nurse, as it were, of all his ills. For among the captives taken at Damascus was a courtesan from Pella, by name Antigona. Ere this she had crossed over to Samothrace, and there had been taken captive by Autophradates. She was comely enough to look upon and, after Philotas had attached himself to her, she had complete possession of him. Indeed that man of iron was so softened that he was not in control of his reasoning powers amid his pleasures, but unlocked and brought forth many of his secrets for the woman: "What was that famed Philip, were it not for Parmenion? What was this Alexander, were it not for Philotas? Where his Ammon, and where his serpents, if we do not wish it so?" These words Antigona reported to an intimate friend of hers among the women, and she reported them to Craterus; Craterus brought Antigona herself secretly to Alexander, who did not touch her person, but restrained himself and, working secretly through her, he discovered the whole of Philotas's plans. And for a period of more than seven years Alexander never revealed his suspicion; not in his cups, the reputed drunkard! not in anger, this man of fiery temper! not to a friend, this man who trusted Hephaestion in everything and shared everything with him!
Susan

Mentioning Ammon does indeed suggest an Egyptian date, yet there's something strange with these words - there's a chronological mistake (seven years instead of less than two). Yet, I agree that a date in Egypt is possible, probably even likely.Jona

Hi Jona,Here we are:Arrian, III.26"It was at this point that Alexander also came to learn of the conspiracy of Philotas, son of Parmenion. Ptolemy and Aristoboulos both say that it had already been reported to the king on an earlier occasion, in Egypt, but that Alexander found it implausible..."I haven't been able to see whether Diodorus or Justin say anything specific, although I'm pretty sure Curtius doesn't; but at least I can sleep easily knowing I did get it from somewhere :-)All the bestMarcus

Oops - missing something that Arrian ascribes to two very early sources is rather stupid of me. Thanks for pointing it out!Jona

Hello,Yes I suppose mafia thug would be an accurate description after reading that excerpt. Yet on the other hand it does seem like quite a good read- as this analysis of the conspiracy does seem plausible.
Best regards,
Dean.

Hello Dean:Actually, it is an excellent read - one of those books where sometimes I can see the author's point of view, but usually find I'm talking out loud and arguing with the thin air. That doesn't mean I'm saying it's an excellent book that I'd recommend to everyone. I'd hate it to be the first book on Alexander that anyone ever read, as I suspect was the case with the Guardian reviewer. But if someone has a good knowledge of the sources it's quite fun to see how Cartledge carefully selects information that only supports his opinions and then presents his opinions as factual statements. It's definitely a book written in the "hostile" tradition, but aimed at the general reader rather than the academic.I'm not at all sorry I bought it as I do like a book that challenges me and that I can sink my teeth into. This one bites back!Best regards,Linda Ann