Anyone know how was Alexander embalmed?

[kate]

Hi everyone,I've just finished reading "The Lost Tomb of ATG", which I really enjoyed - although I'm not so sure that I am convinced by Andrew's theory that Alexander ended up as St Mark But the book did set me to wondering how Alexander's body was actually embalmed. I remember reading somewhere - can't recall the source unfortunately - that his body was first preserved in white honey and then embalmed for transport back to Greece. Maybe this was a Babylonian technique? Presumably, his body wasn't given the Egyptian treatment and turned into a wrapped mummy because then the story of one of the Roman Emperor's - think it was Augustus - accidentally breaking Alexander's nose on a visit to view the body doesn't make sense. Hope you don't think this is too morbid a question, I'm just curious!Cheers,Kate

[marcus]

Hi Kate,This is probably too pedantic, but I think we'd be in danger of going to far to describe it as "Andrew's theory that Alexander ended up as St Mark", 'cos he never comes out and says "I think he's buried in Venice". I read it more as him saying that it's a possibility that merits further investigation, which is more ambiguous.Anyway, leaving my pedantry aside, it's a good book, isn't it? (Lovely illustrations).But as for the embalming methods ... I don't know - not really an area I've ever properly looked into, I'm afraid.All the bestMArcus

[kenny]

Hail Kate MarcusI think the embalming really is strange and out of character with very deep Greek Macedonian beliefs.WE all know that the Greeks thought they went to another world we also know it was tradition of pyre.Note Philip was cremated.So I always wondered whos decision it was to preserve his body,,, Im sure it was done in the Egyptian way where Ptolony parked his ass.I wonder if it was Alexanders wish whicxh I doubt Im sure he believed in a proper Greek Macedonian Cremation so he could be with his ancestors.Maybe when he visited Siwa and was conviced to be the son of Amon he wanted to be embalmed. If he did it causes contradiction with his relationship with Heaphastion if Alexander did believe in Egyptian gods,, If he were that close to Hepheastion therefore Alexander would have had him embalmed and entombed also,,, But he cremated him on a huge Pyre.Was the body basically taken and kept by Ptolemy as a status symbol to justify his own power.If he did then he shows Alexander very little respect.Kenny

[kenny]

ConI do hope that ineed his body is embalmed somewhere and that it be discovered before I die.Alexander boby has been named by archiologist as the holy grail of Archiologyt.I beleve when the body is found scientist will once and for all find traces in his remains.Now that would open debate and new books to be written.Kenny

[kenny]

ConI do hope that ineed his body is embalmed somewhere and that it be discovered before I die.Alexander boby has been named by archiologist as the holy grail of Archiologyt.I beleve when the body is found scientist will once and for all find traces in his remains.Now that would open debate and new books to be written.Kenny

[a spiropoulos]

a old greek chap book in my possession states he
left a will to be carried back to alexanderia, it states he was prepared in the custom of the day, it does not state persian or egyptain . see click below http://www.geocities.com/losalexspirop/24-f.htmlas

[Taphoi]

Hi Gail,The Armenian Alexander Romance (section 283) says: "And then Ptolmeos took [Alexander] to Egypt and made a leaden slab for him and poured upon him mnesiotas honey and hipatic aloe; and the body was embalmed with incense and oil and put upon a mule cart and taken to Egypt." This is one of the earliest and best versions of the Alexander Romance, but it is still semi-legendary in character. Sorry I didn't put this in my book.Marcus is right that I only offer the St Mark theory as a possibility, but you are right to call it my theory. It should be easy to check the theory, if carbon dating and other testing is allowed.Best wishes,Andrew

[ruthaki]

Hello there, Andrew. The interesting thing is that years ago (probably 10 or 12) I had a dream which then became a thought, that Alexander's body had been taken by the Romans and was hidden somewhere in the Vatican. Your St. Mark's theory sounds fairly close to that. I must read your book. It such a fascinating thought!

[dean]

Hello,Just out of curiosity I was just starting reading a book by Stephen King, one of the first lines is- "the man who encased the body of Alexander the Great in gold so it would not rot... Death is a mystery and burial is a secret."Best regards,
Dean.

[Kate]

Hi Andrew,Thanks for the info. I didn't intend any disrespect, by the way, regarding your idea about Alexander and St Mark. It just seemed rather a long shot, but it would be absolutely wonderful if it were true! Not that I can envisage Church authorities actually agreeing to tests - maybe we should get up a petition to try and persuade them.Cheers,Kate

[abm]

according to Curtius X 10.13 Alexander was embalmed by Egyptian and Babylonian priests, but I should te check to see what exactly he said.regards,abm

[Taphoi]

Hi Kate,All opinions are welcome. I have said that the St Mark theory is a possibility rather than a probability. I think it is a significant possibility, however, because many things I know about Alexandria in the 4th century AD lead me to believe that this is just the sort of thing that may have happened. Other similar Christianisations of pagan relics definitely took place and the evidence seems to show a very close coincidence in time and place between the disappearance of Alexander's corpse and the appearance of St Mark's and the descriptions of both are very similar.Regarding testing the remains, an Italian news website has recently said that the Procurator of St Marks, Ettore Vio, is interested in getting them tested. The URL is http://www.zoomata.com/modules.php?name ... d=1093Best wishes,Andrew

[Taphoi]

Hi Ruth,Interesting dream, but the remains were taken from Alexandria to Venice rather than Rome and they were taken in AD828, some time after the fall of the Roman Empire in the west. They were in the crypt of St Mark's Basilica until AD1811, when they were moved into a marble sarcophagus within the high altar. I hope you enjoy my book.Best wishes,Andrew Chugg

[kenny]

Hail AndrewExcuse my ignorance with this particular Item and the way its going,, Could you explain a little what this ST Marks thing is etc.If there is any reason at all why this item should be Alexander is there something actually there for definate. If so then its the responsibility of the whole archiological world to find out.If we do have what are the remains of Alexander the Great,,, Then we can add all new chapters books and find out much much more about the man we know or think we know so much about.I think its without doubt that they ended up in that region following visits from thre Romans,, Its clear his shield and armour were taken by which ruler I dont know. But Caligula wasnt averse to strolling around in them hoping some greatness rub off.I may be even more ignorant as I dont look for books anymore,But if you have wrote a book about this then its new to me.Regards
Kenny

[Taphoi]

Hi Kenny,Yes, I've written a book, which was published in London in October last year. The title is "The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great". You can find it if you search on "Tomb Alexander" at http://www.amazon.co.uk or at http://www.oxbowbooks.com. It is reviewed in the "Diadochi" book review section of Pothos. Many people on the forum have already read it.It has several new theories concerning the location and appearance of Alexander's several tombs. The one which seems to interest people most is that the body of St Mark in Venice might be Alexander. There is quite a lot of evidence, which is too complicated to reprise here. But suffice to say that the body in Venice is very probably not Mark, because Christian sources say his body was burnt. It appeared in the same decade as Alexander's body disappeared and at the same time that paganism was outlawed in Alexandria. It was taken to Venice from Alexandria in AD828, so it is a very interesting corpse. If you think it should be investigated, then I agree with you, but it is not simple to make it happen.Best wishes,Andrew