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Aha! But Badian in his latest work in 'Alexander in Fact and Fiction' edited by Bosworth suggests that the Dimnos Conspiracy was a canard, and that Philotas could not have reported it as he was never told about it in the first place! Alexander subborning witnesses against Philotas or even inventing the whole incident.I have to confess to finding this far-fetched.

That's probably because Badian realised how his previous argument didn't work! :-)I did read that book, but confess that I don't really remember all the details - I shall have to re-read.I agree with you, though - the idea that the Dimnos conspiracy was made up is too far-fetched. After all, Philotas is credited in all the sources as having been approached, but ignoring it - surely his defence would have been to say "this is the first I've heard of it"! (Not that that would necessarily have meant that he got off, because at the end of the day the army needed Alexander more than it needed Philotas, so Philotas was going to be executed. As we remember from the more detailed sources, he wasn't actually found guilty of belonging to the plot).All the bestMarcus

My first thougts about this was that it is so many sources pointing out the role of Antipater in Alex's killing that we have to belive it. I even read somewhere that Aristotele made the poison (as he was a scientist) and Antipater by his son Cassander gave it to Alexander. It is quite detailed relation. But then Some author pointed out the Olimpias character and her abillities to make propaganda, her hate to Antipater (and to Aristotele - as the very close friend of Antipater). As we know she was cruel to her anenemies and Antipater sended letters to Alex saying about the threads from Olimpias. Alexander could take care with almoust every problem but he had no idea how to deal with that issue. That's why he separed role of Olimpias and Antipater in Macedonia and I belive this was only reason he called Antipater to Babilon - not to punish him but to give him some land to rule far from Olimpias. After his death (Alex's) Olimpias used every fact against Antipater - his familly and Aristotele - so good that ancient writters could be confused about it and they have so different opinions, some of them are even sure of Antipater's role in Alex's murder. I belive it was no murder and that Arrian was right saying that it was some illnes.Maciek

He wasn'n belonging to the plot formally but if he knew about it and didn't report it - it is the same if he would participate. I like some opinion (maybe from Arrian) that he didn't report because he wanted the same and hoped they will succed. Philotas was arogant young officer with strong support of his wise but old father, so he really could belive that he will be the king after Alex's death. We will never know how it was for real, but I belive - wasn't involved directly in this plot but still he deserves to be executed as he was closest Alex's guard and hasitating of report was big crime in his position.Maciek

Hi Maciek,I don't think that failing to report the plot is the same thing as being part of it at all! However, I can appreciate that, when it came to a crisis of confidence, with revolting satraps (in both senses of the phrase), in the middle of hostile territory, etc. etc. Philotas had to be removed - if Alexander couldn't trust him, it was too dangerous to have him wandering about. I don't know whether execution was the only option (after all, Alexander of Lyncestis had been ineffective, as a prisoner, for years), but Hephaistion, Craterus and the others were clearly very determined to get rid of Philotas, and Alexander was obviously persuaded!All the bestMarcus

Yes for me is the same if he was onlu stearing at the plot and not reporting it or if he was a part of that plot. Althrough it's not the same for a normal soldier as for his closest guard. They had greatest responsibility to protect him and to find out any plot or even rumour about it. It was in my opinion unforgivenable mistake.I belive that in this situation it was the only option for him. He could always get out of the prison and then he would be the greatest enemy of Alexaqnder and who knows his father could be the strongest support for him. If so they could take the lead.
Maciek

Maciek,Here's something else pointing to Iolas as the assassin of Alexander:"Demosthenes, the great Athenian orator, suggested that the people should publicly thank Iolas for having poisoned Alexander, and liberated the Greeks from under the barbarian Macedonian yoke."I'm quoting from a website, because I don't have the book with me right now. (I think the source is Hyperides, a contemporary orator of Demosthenes.)John

Yes but more importand is who organized it then who phisicaly did it. Demosthenes was very clever guy see how he acted during Alex's Illirian campaign. Of course always in such statment can be some truth.

Organized at least partly be Iolas' father Antipater, who was hated by Olympias and ordered to give up his position as regent of Macedonia by Alexander.Maybe Alexander got hit on the head too many times. Why would he keep Iolas as his cup-bearer? Why didn't he make straight for Macedonia with such a mess there, instead of planning a wayward voyage around Arabia?But who am I to second-guess the great one?John

I think his plan was to place Krateros in Macedonia which was old and expirienced soldier and he maybe would find some way to live in some kind peace with Olimpias. For Antipater he prepared some sathrapy in Asia to get him far from Olimpias. It could work out. If so he could plan next voyage. Maybe situation was not so bad as it seams for us now. He always balanced in his political ideas when he died many things could suddenly appeared different then they were. Maybe revolt in Athens was not so iminent as they showed it later. I think real danger was a bad political situation in Macedonia and he just found the way to solve it but his death turned all.Maciek

Right. Alexander sent Krateros to Macedonia, and ordered Antipater to leave Macedonia. But when Krateros arrived in Macedonia, Antipater didn't leave. Instead, Antipater and Krateros took counsel together, saying, "We are Macedonians. Macedonia first! Alexander has gone completely barbarian. Something must be done!"Maybe Alexander should have indoctrinated Krateros with the Brotherhood of Man thing, before sending him off to rule in Macedonia.John

Hi John,I thought that Krateros fell ill and didn't get as far as Macedonia before Alexander died?All the bestMarcus

Krateros fell in battle against Eumenes, a couple years after Alexander's death.John

I can't remember about his illness but I'm quite sure that he didn't come to Macedonia before Alex's death that's why all this speculations was made. After Alex's death they (Krateros and Antipater) were together like You said John.

Marcus,Oops, I misunderstood your sentence. - So you're saying Antipater teamed up with Krateros AFTER Alexander's death.John