Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

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m0n0phthalm0s
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Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by m0n0phthalm0s »

Hi to all Pothosians.

The title is self-explanatory.

... Either directly by the Macedonians or indirectly by a tricked Bessus.

And Bessus be blamed as a convenient scapegoat.

Analogous to the case of the Aztec tlatoani Moctezuma according to some Mesoamerican chroniclers (like Ixtixochitl).

Cortes also pretended to conveniently "avenge" the late Moctezuma

After all, Alexandros III had previously directly accused Darius of killing the former's own father Philip II, no less.

The trial and inevitable execution of Darius III seems to have been the obvious goal of hunting the defeated Persian king all along the central satrapies.

On the other hand, Alexander presenting himself as the savior of the Persian Empire from an unlawful usurper instead of any fearful alien conqueror seems like a brilliant (even if a bit naive & crystal clear) political maneuver.

I know all relevant sources stated otherwise; but all relevant sources were from the conqueror's standpoint.

And frankly, from where I am the possibility seems too obvious for being ignored, even if just as a conjecture.

What do you think? Any input will be highly welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Best regards,
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marcus
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Re: Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by marcus »

m0n0phthalm0s wrote:Hi to all Pothosians.

The title is self-explanatory.

... Either directly by the Macedonians or indirectly by a tricked Bessus.
I suppose he could have been, but I don't think he was.

I have, for a long time, wondered what Alexander would have done had he captured Darius alive. Any decision would have been fraught with difficulties. Ultimately, however, he was spared having to make a decision by Bessus, who clearly played into his hands from a propaganda point of view!

But there doesn't appear to be much of a possibility, that I can see, that Alexander could have been in contact with Bessus to arrange Darius' murder.

ATB
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Re: Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by agesilaos »

Heck, Marcus, we all know it was the CIA backed by Mafia money, didn't Oliver Stone put that in the editor's edition? :D
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Re: Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by marcus »

agesilaos wrote:Heck, Marcus, we all know it was the CIA backed by Mafia money, didn't Oliver Stone put that in the editor's edition? :D
:lol:
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Re: Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by m0n0phthalm0s »

marcus wrote:
m0n0phthalm0s wrote:Hi to all Pothosians.

The title is self-explanatory.

... Either directly by the Macedonians or indirectly by a tricked Bessus.
I suppose he could have been, but I don't think he was.

I have, for a long time, wondered what Alexander would have done had he captured Darius alive. Any decision would have been fraught with difficulties. Ultimately, however, he was spared having to make a decision by Bessus, who clearly played into his hands from a propaganda point of view!

But there doesn't appear to be much of a possibility, that I can see, that Alexander could have been in contact with Bessus to arrange Darius' murder.

ATB
Hi, Marcus.

That's exactly the point; it was exactly the best possible scenario for Alexander III; prima facie, simply too good to be true.

Darius III had been directly accused of killing Philippos II by Alexander III himself; as a prisoner, his future had few conceivable alternatives.

Thanks for your input; best regards.
A. M0n0phthlam0s
m0n0phthalm0s
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Re: Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by m0n0phthalm0s »

marcus wrote:
agesilaos wrote:Heck, Marcus, we all know it was the CIA backed by Mafia money, didn't Oliver Stone put that in the editor's edition? :D
:lol:
Hi, Pothosians.
A tempting possibility, right :wink: ?

BTW, is there any evidence of any Macedonian CIA-like intelligence or black-ops service?

The companion cavalry maybe?

Thanks for the input.
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Re: Could Darius III have been killed by Alexander III?

Post by agesilaos »

It was more like KGB and was headed by Hephaistion; show trials, opening soldiers mail and 'disappearing' the dissidents. :evil:
When you think about, it free-choice is the only possible option.
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