Alexander in Anthon's "Manual of Greek Literature"

[ancientlibrary]

I have just put online Anthon's "Manual of Greek Literature," a 600-page survey of Greek authors from Homer to 1453. The work was published in 1854, but is remarkably extensive. For the more obscure authors, I think it the best, most scholarly source now on the web. There is much here of interest to Alexander historians.First, there is an excellent survey of early, lost historians of Alexander the Great from page 254-259. This covers biggies like Cleitarchus (arguing against Curtis' use), Ptolemy, Nearchus, but also lesser-knowns like Marsyas. Of course, opinion has changed on some points since 1853GÇöAnthon argues Curtius *didn't* follow Cleitarchus and speaks of the Ephemerides in a naive wayGÇöbut much has not. This section is at:http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/al/gr ... .htmlLater, extant authors also get sections, eg.Arrian
http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/al/gr ... /0475.html
http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/al/gr ... mlPlutarch
http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/al/gr ... mlDiodorus
http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/al/gr ... .htmlEnjoy, and let me know what you think.

[abm]

very interesting indeed. Thank you very much.abm

[kate]

Hi everyone,Thanks for the post, Tim. It was interesting.
With reference to Diodorus, do you - or anyone else here on the Forum - know if any of his actual work is available on-line? I want to read the bit where he talks about Alexander's funeral carriage and his tomb in Memphis. Can't remember off-hand which Book this is in, but as I don't live near to an academic library I was hoping to be able to find it on the Web.Cheers,Kate

[marcus]

Hi Kate,Unfortunately, the Perseus Online library only has Diodorus up to Book 17, which ends with Al's death but doesn't describe his funeral car.I don't have a copy of Book 18 myself, but I assume it's in the early part of that book. It's 18.28, or something like that.CheersMarcus

[nickw]

I would have been happy to quote it here, but it is too long... Sorry. It is, as Marcus indicated, Diodorus 18.26 18.27 and 18.28It took Arridhaeus two years to build the carriage, so Diodorus description is quite detailed.Regards ---Nick

[thom]

Kate:"Thanks for the post, Tim. It was interesting. With reference to Diodorus, do you - or anyone else here on the Forum - know if any of his actual work is available on-line? I want to read the bit where he talks about Alexander's funeral carriage and his tomb in Memphis. Can't remember off-hand which Book this is in, but as I don't live near to an academic library I was hoping to be able to find it on the Web."Diodorus describes the carriage in 18.26-27f. He does not describe the tomb itself, but talks instead about the district in which it was constructed.Here are the relevant passages:"[26] (322 B.C.) When Philocles was archon in Athens, Gaius Sulpicius and Gaius Aelius were elected consuls in Rome. In this year Arrhidaeus, who had been placed in charge of bringing home the body of Alexander, having completed the vehicle on which the royal body was to be carried, was making preparations for the journey. 2 Since the structure that had been made ready, being worthy of the glory of Alexander, not only surpassed all others in cost - it had been constructed at the expense of many talents - but was also famous for the excellence of its workmanship, I believe that it is well to describe it. 3 First they prepared a coffin of the proper size for the body, made of hammered gold, and the space about the body they filled with spices such as could make the body sweet smelling and incorruptible. 4 Upon this chest there had been placed a cover of gold, matching it to a nicety, and fitting about its upper rim. Over this was laid a magnificent purple robe embroidered with gold, beside which they placed the arms of the deceased, wishing the design of the whole to be in harmony with his accomplishments. 4 Then they set up next to it the covered carriage that was to carry it. At the top of the carriage was built a vault of gold, eight cubits wide and twelve long, covered with overlapping scales set with precious stones. 5 Beneath the roof all along the work was a rectangular cornice of gold, from which projected heads of goat-stags in high relief. Gold rings two palms broad were suspended from these. and through the rings there ran a festive garland beautifully decorated in bright colours of all kinds. At the ends there were tassels of network suspending large bells, so that any who were approaching heard the sound from a great distance. 6 On each corner of the vault on each side was a golden figure of Victory holding a trophy. The colonnade that

[kate]

Hi,Thanks to all for answering my question about Diodorus.You kindly posted the description from Book 18, Thom, but the message ended abruptly. Was there more posted? Hope that doesn't sound greedy, all I mean is that if you had spent time and energy on posting more, it's a shame it couldn't be read.Cheers,Kate