Bucephalus

[Bobg]

I'm new here and really enjoy reading all the posts. I have a question and hope that it is not a repeat of a previous one. I've read where Alexander's horse was killed at the Jhelum River in what is now Pakistan. The horse is supposed to be buried on a hill where the site of an old Hindu temple is. I wonder if any attempts have been made to see if this might be true or just a myth.

[marcus]

I'm new here and really enjoy reading all the posts. I have a question and hope that it is not a repeat of a previous one. I've read where Alexander's horse was killed at the Jhelum River in what is now Pakistan. The horse is supposed to be buried on a hill where the site of an old Hindu temple is. I wonder if any attempts have been made to see if this might be true or just a myth.

Not as far as I know.

Alexander actually founded an entire city in honour of Bucephalus, so it would be natural to assume that the horse's tomb was within the city. Unfortunately, due to the changes in the courses of rivers, plus other ravages of the passage of time, the site of the city can currently only be conjectured - so at the moment any correspondence between Bucephalus' tomb and the site of an existing Hindu temple can only be folklore or wishful thinking or conjecture.

ATB

[rjones2818]

I'm new here and really enjoy reading all the posts. I have a question and hope that it is not a repeat of a previous one. I've read where Alexander's horse was killed at the Jhelum River in what is now Pakistan. The horse is supposed to be buried on a hill where the site of an old Hindu temple is. I wonder if any attempts have been made to see if this might be true or just a myth.

The person you may want to get in touch with is Dr. Ranajit Pal, who used to post at the board and still may look in. He's an Indian historian and might be able to give some insight as to what's in that area.

[Tantalus]

On pages 189-190 of Michael Wood's In the Footsteps of ATG, there is a picture of the shrine and he talks a little bit about the possible location of Bucephalus's tomb.

[jasonxx]

I would guess Alexander erected a monument for his horse. But doubt a tomb.I guess as cremation was suffice for Greeks and Macedonians and would assume Alexande thought A great deal About Bucephalus to meet him in the after life.

I would also say that by the timw of Jelum Bucephalus died of old age. He would have been very old for a horse and very boubtful he was up to the battle. I read in later life Alexander only used Bucephalus as a ceremonial horse treating him with respect. When action happened he probably substituted his old mate for a younger mount.

Kenny

[Tantalus]

I would guess Alexander erected a monument for his horse. But doubt a tomb.

Kenny, for lack of a better word I just used the word "tomb". I probably should have said grave or burial site.

-

[marcus]

I would guess Alexander erected a monument for his horse. But doubt a tomb.

Kenny, for lack of a better word I just used the word "tomb". I probably should have said grave or burial site.

-

Well, I actually think the use of the word tomb is OK - although Kenny is basically right, that it would have been a "monument" tomb rather than one that actually held the physical remains.

ATB

[Theseus]

I have a quick question about this magnificent animal myself. I had always thought his name meaning "Ox-head" was because of the white patch on his head, but I was reading where it was because of the brand used by the breeders that resembled an oxhead as their mark. Has anyone else heard this explanantion of how he got his name?

[amyntoros]

I have a quick question about this magnificent animal myself. I had always thought his name meaning "Ox-head" was because of the white patch on his head, but I was reading where it was because of the brand used by the breeders that resembled an oxhead as their mark. Has anyone else heard this explanantion of how he got his name?

It's an "either or" situation:

ARRIAN 5.19.4-6 In the place where the battle was fought and in that from which he set out to cross the Hydaspes Alexander founded cities. One was called Nicaea from the victory over the Indians, the other Bucephala, in memory of his horse Bucephala which died there, not wounded by anyone, but worn out by heat and age; [5] he was about thirty years old; up to then he had shared Alexander’s numerous exertions and dangers and had never been mounted by anyone but Alexander himself, since he would brook no other rider; his size was large and his spirit noble. His mark was an ox-head branded upon him; hence, they say, his name Bucephalas; others, however, say that he was black except for a white mark on his head, which was exactly like an ox-head. [6] In the Uxian country Alexander once lost him, and issued a proclamation throughout the country that he would kill every Uxian unless they brought him back his horse; he was brought back immediately after the proclamation. Such was Alexander’s devotion to him, and such was the terror he inspired in the barbarians. So much I have to say in praise of this Bucephalas for Alexander’s sake.

Best regards,

[Theseus]

Thanks, that sort of answers my question. I guess it's another "we'll never know" situation.

[jan]

I just have to tell you that there is a special statue of Bucephalus here in Scottsdale, AZ. It is standing in front of a nearby store on Main Street replacing a former statue of Thomas Jefferson. I don't know how long Bucephalus will remain in front of this storefront, but I have taken a few photos of it. Very fascinating!

[Theseus]

I just have to tell you that there is a special statue of Bucephalus here in Scottsdale, AZ. It is standing in front of a nearby store on Main Street replacing a former statue of Thomas Jefferson. I don't know how long Bucephalus will remain in front of this storefront, but I have taken a few photos of it. Very fascinating!

That is very interesting!! Is there any way you can post some pictures of it here? I'd love to see the statue. Is there a site showing it?

[Theseus]

For any Bucephalus fans out there >>>>Breyer is a company that makes horse collectable figures and they had a collection called "Horses in History". They did their research about what type of horse Bucephalus was and made a beautiful replica. I was able to get one which is getting harder to do because it was retired in 2005. I had to buy it second hand, but it's gorgeous!
http://www.breyerhorses.com/products/pr ... ?item=1162

[Vergina Sun]

I just have to tell you that there is a special statue of Bucephalus here in Scottsdale, AZ. It is standing in front of a nearby store on Main Street replacing a former statue of Thomas Jefferson. I don't know how long Bucephalus will remain in front of this storefront, but I have taken a few photos of it. Very fascinating!

Bucephalus replaced Jefferson? I wonder if that's suggesting anything about ancient history and American history...

[jan]

As soon as I can do so, I will be happy to post the pictures that I have. As for the Jefferson statue, I just don't know what happened to it. But for some time there had been a statute of a sitting Jefferson with quill in hand. Later, I found the statue of Bucephalus in a different location but I have not been back to the site for awhile. Will have to check if he is still there too.