RE: Alexander's nurse, Lanike

[ruthaki]

Does anyone know what might have become of Lanike? I know she had served most of her life in the palace and was highly esteemed. Her brother was Black Kleitos who was unfortunately killed by Alexander in that drunken brawl in Marakanda. But I wonder if there was any further references to her?
Just checking details as she has a cameo role in my novel. Thanks in advance.

[marcus]

Hi Ruth,I know of no references to Lanike other than to explain her relationship to Cleitus. Can you let me/us know the references for her having served in the palace all her life and for being highly esteemed? I mean, I'm sure both are true (if she was wet-nurse to Alexander then she might have been highly esteemed) but I am aware of nothing that explicitly states this.All the bestMarcus

[ruthaki]

I'll check my references but apparantly it was because her family/brother were in good stead with the royal family (Kleitos was Hipparch of the Royal Companion Cavalry and a friend of Alexander) Perhaps it's assumption to believe that because Olympias hired her to care for her precious son that she was highly esteemed and trusted. I wonder how the fact that Alexander killed her brother in that famous drunken fight would have affected her status after that??? Any ideas?

[gb]

Arrian cites his thoughts for her in his remorse over Cleitus' death:"But when the deed was done, Alexander immediately felt its horror; and for that I admire him. Some have said that he fixed the butt of the pike against the wall, meaning to fall upon it himself, because a man who murdered his friend when his wits were fuddled with wine was not fit to live. Most writers, however, say nothing of this; they tell us that Alexander lay on his bed in tears, calling the name of Cleitus and of his sister Lanice, who had been his nurse. 'Ah,' he cried, 'a good return I have made you for your care, now I am a man! You have lived to see your sons die of fighting for me, and now with my own hand I have killed your brother.' Again and again he called himself the murderer of his friends, and for three days lay without food or drink, careless of all personal comfort."If that were true I can't imagine him not providing for her in some way.PS. I've written exactly 117 words today (and deleted 6 of those), I'm not a happy bunny...

[ruthaki]

Thanks for that Marjolein, I appreciate the feed-back I get from this forum. I am nearing the end of my novel and have just introduced Lanike (who is still living in the palace and will help out with Alexander's little son - age nearly 5 - until Polyperchon convinces Olympias to return. Yes, I'm writing 'historical fiction' but I like to try and keep things as logical and true to what might have been as possible. I agree, I doubt she'd have been just left out in the cold after what happened to her brother so no doubt she had been taken care of in some way. Again, thanks. (I figure by this time Lanike is likely a dowager though she could conceivable be a bit younger too.)

[marcus]

Hi Ruth,I reckon you're right about all of this (my question was whether it *was* supposition or whether there was any more information in the sources than I was aware of).It brings to mind an interesting question: who actually would have been responsible for choosing the baby Alexander's wet-nurse? Would it have been Philip, because of Kleitos' standing, or would Olympias have had that sort of control over the household? After all, wet nurses were chosen because they were fecund and were known to be able to provide good milk, not necessarily because they were of any special status (they gained status because of who they nursed, rather than the other way around).Ultimately, I don't think it would matter, at least from the point of view of your book, as you are dealing with the period following Alexander's death; but it's an interesting subject. I shall have to make a note to look into it more at some point.All the bestMarcus

[gb]

I think you're right. Let's try some simple maths (the only kind I know...). Even if she was a young girl by our standards when she was Alexander's wetnurse, she must have been pushing 50 at the time of Alexander's death. Since that's a nice round figure, let's take that and add 5 years and we end up with a minimum of 55 at the point you're describing...

[ruthaki]

Marjolein, yes I calculated her possible age exactly to around 55 or so.
Marcus, I'm not really sure she was simply his 'wet nurse' as I believe she tended him (or supposedly) until he left his mother's care which would be around six or so. (Persian boys left their mothers around five so I'm guessing that the Macedonians would be around the same - when they were old enough for a pedagogue. Lanike plays only a small role in the last part of my novel but because of her connection with Alexander and her brother's killing it is important in building tension and providing more info about Alexander's life. (Alexander's young son is learning the details of who his father was).
Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it.

[marcus]

Hi Ruth,I don't think there's any evidence of precisely what sort of 'nurse' Lanike was. You are as likely to be right as I am - possibly more than a wet nurse. But think the questions remain the same, whatever :-)I agree about her age - at least, I doubt she would have been any *younger* that 50/55 at the time of Alexander's death. All the bestMarcus

[jan]

Hi Ruth,I know this is late, but I just read Curtius's comments on Hellanice, also known as Lanice, and Lanike, in which Alexander is worried about how he will be able to face her after having just killed her brother, Cleitos. Curtius doesn't go on to tell any more than that, but I thought I would tell you as there is an explanation in the footnotes on her name and spelling.