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Hello all, I have read that there was an episode where there was a riot in the army and Philip had to play possum while Alexander shielded him and basically saved his life. Does anyone know the source of this information?Many thanks,

Well I don't think it was in any of five main sources... or I just can't remember - if so sorry for posting it. Regards
Maciek

I don't know if this is what you're thinking about, but this is what came to my mind when I read your post; Mary Renault gives an account in one of her fictional books of some sort of riot into which King Philip rides unarmed (?!?), his horse is killed and the mob would've killed Philip aswell had not Alexander got through and saved his life by killing his main attacker. Whether this is true or not I can't say, but I can't remember reading about it in "The Nature of Alexander" in which Ms Renault seems to be providing "evidence" for most other events in her fictional books.Regards,Neneh

Hi Diomedes,Yes, I remember reading about this scene in "Alexander's history" from Quintus Curtius Rufus.So, this happened during the fight with the ancient Tribali tribe. Philip's thigh was wounded (stuck through), his horse killed, he felt on the ground and the foes surrounded him at once. But, Alexander protected his father with his shield and killed the fighters.I can't recall more details right now...Regards,
Poliksena

Hi Diomedes,
the refrence comes form Curtius, 8:1:24.
a particularly doubtfull episode in my opinion!cheers!

Yes I too remember mainly the account in fire from heaven talking about how Alexander saves his father's life.
I must admit that Renault certainly knows how to weave a tale. The way she approaches it is to depict Philip on the floor pretending to be unconscious and that Alexander realises that he is playing dead, all the same he protects him and saves his life. Also Renault seems to imply that Alexander resents the fact that Philip never publicly acknowledged that he really did save his life on this occasion
Best regards,
Dean.

I haven't read Curtius yet, but recall the episode from Nature. Battling in south Thrace as a general, a riot broke out among Greek mercenaries and the Macedonians. I doubt Philip shammed dead, but don't necessarily doubt the incident happened. It was likely that Alexander stayed close by Philip in those early years, and may have been the one closest to him in a fight. Thereby, most likely to have the opportunity to protect him. later Nicator

Unbelievably (for myself) I have not read Curtius yet! All of your help is much appreciated (SmittySmitty thanks for the direct citation). Cheers.

Curtius narration starts from the almost end of campaign in Asia Minor. We have no his first two books so You didn't miss anything about Thrace campaign if You didn't read him.Regards
Maciek