Mass wedding at Susa!
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beausefaless
- Hetairos (companion)
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Re: Mass wedding at Susa!
I think a few of the marriages lasted. But this was a very small part of ancient history during Alexander's time and shortly after. What most peoples do not comprehend about the Persian Empire is the scope, the many countries that were in Persian control, how truly magnificent this domain was for many centuries. And last but not least the never ending beauty of all of their cities no doubt your breath would have been removed in a hart beat if you were able to feast your eyes upon once was one of the greatest empires that ruled most of the known world.This proves how one very intelligent commander was able to bring a mighty empire to its knee's. Too much unproven confidence. The same happened to Rome, China, England, France, and I'm not so sure this same scenario will not take place in the United States sometime in the future.
Re: Mass wedding at Susa!
Yes, it did happen. I think that there may have been an earlier version in Sogdia, where as well as Alexander marrying Roxane, some of his generals married into the Sogdian aristocracy. This is hinted at by the Metz Epitome; I don't know whether it applied to the troops, though, or whether it was just the generals.
As for the marriages, the only ones likely to survive were the ones conferring some political benefit, I suppose - so for instance Seleukos stayed married to Apame as her family was strong in the area that he ruled. Nearchos probably stayed married to Barsine's daughter, as this would mean that he was brother-in-law to Alexander's illegitimate son, who continued to be potentially useful as a pawn. For the rest, having in-laws that held some power in Central Asia wasn't much help if you were fighting for supremacy in Macedonia, thousands of miles away; and any child of these marriages would probably have difficulty being accepted in positions of power in any remnant of Alexander's empire - apart from Seleukos' children of course.Susan
As for the marriages, the only ones likely to survive were the ones conferring some political benefit, I suppose - so for instance Seleukos stayed married to Apame as her family was strong in the area that he ruled. Nearchos probably stayed married to Barsine's daughter, as this would mean that he was brother-in-law to Alexander's illegitimate son, who continued to be potentially useful as a pawn. For the rest, having in-laws that held some power in Central Asia wasn't much help if you were fighting for supremacy in Macedonia, thousands of miles away; and any child of these marriages would probably have difficulty being accepted in positions of power in any remnant of Alexander's empire - apart from Seleukos' children of course.Susan