pothos.org

Why do you think Alexander felt the need to execute 30% of the governors he appointed?

Where did you get that stat from? That is remarkable. The only reason I can think of is that Alexander was wanting to set an example and to terrorise the other governors into doing the right thing. Much like he had done in Thebes to contain rebellion in Greece. The Persian Empire was vast and from my understanding currupt. By executing some governors, guilty or not of curruption he may have been setting an example to all to do the right thing. He could not be everywhere, and was after all a foreign invader. I sure Marcus will have a better explaination.

Hi Dave,I'm not ignoring your challenge (d**n your eyes!) but I haven't yet come up with an explanation... I'm racking my brains!All the bestMarcus

I'm sure You are right about punnishing the corrupted sathraps, but I woldn't connect it to destruction of Thebes. It was diferent in my opinion he didn't want to fight with them and wanted to use persuasion better then terror. What happened was because of majority of Thebians (sterred by the Demosthenes orations and some triks - all for persian money) wanted to fight for "freedom" and they joined persian king. In case of Alexander's rulling after coming back from his conquers - in Babilon he had to maintain the peace and following his own promises he tried to establish fair and right governors what would help in providing peacefull politic in conquered territies. I have my theory on this so it might be little bit controversial.Maciek

The statistic is a bit New Labour seven executions are attested, Ordanes,Kleandros, Sitalkes, Heracon, Orxines, Abulites, Oxathres, but Kleomenes was in line for punishment, as was Harpalos and a quuestion mark will always hang over Antipatros' summons to Babylon.My point was that it shows a lack of judgement to have appointed so many dud satraps; conversely a lack of judgement to trust so many slanders.Reigns of terror are de riguer for tyrants but I didn't think everyone in pothos saw Alexander in that light.

I think you make a good point about not all of us seeing Alex as a tyrant. I think he was growing increasingly unstable towards the end and his actions showed this to be the case. Either way, in this case he certainly made some examples of the satraps and lengthened the line of those who would have him assassinated.
later Nicator