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Poly; [IV.3.1] 'Alexander whose ambition was, to unite all mankind to him, passed a decree,that mankind should no longer be called mortals, human beings, or men, but Alexanders.' I'm not sure of the credibility of this statement by Polyaenus, but it immediately brought to my mind the initial meeting that took place between Al, Heph. and the Persian royals after Issus.The queen mother mistakingly believing Hephaestion as Alexander. Al's response to this was, 'he too is Alexander'.I'd like to think not, but I guess you can't discount anything these days
cheers!

Well, that sounds like all Christ's followers being called Christians to me, but all Alexanders would be all defenders of men.Actually, I personally believe that Alexander's statement about Hephaestion being another Alexander probably sealed the bond between them stronger than anything else would.But on the same count, no Americans think that any of them are all Amerigo Vespucci just because America was named for him.I see nothing wrong with everyone in Alexander's empire being considered another Alexander any more than I do of any Christian being thought of as another Christ.

I guess Polyaneus thought the quote was to be believed or he wouldn't have used it. (Which does make me wonder in which even older source it was to be found.) But just imagine the effects a "decree" like this would have had on the Greeks - they weren't too fond of Alexander telling them what to do, let alone telling them how to speak! Such a decree could scarcely have gone without comment.And it just seems a little silly to boot. Alexander spent his entire adult life trying to excel above all others, be they mortals or gods. Having achieved fame greater than any who had gone before, his name known in almost every quarter of the world whether he had conquered it or not, why would he then give that name to the rest of the human race? And would he really have expected the population of the world to live up to his name? Surely Alexander wasn't that naive? I think it's just another curious little anecdote, perhaps invented by someone practicing rhetoric who had recently been reading Plutarch - that "unite all mankind" phrase really sticks out.:-)Amyntoros