Alexias wrote:Arethusa33 wrote:
In 326 BC, he couldn't be at the same time in Hyrcania and commander of a trireme on the banks of the Hydaspes.
Arethusa, it is your unproven theory that Bagoas the eunuch was left behind in Hycania. You cannot therefore use this as proof that he could not be Euxenippus/Bagoas or Bagoas son of Pharunces. That is a basic law of rhetoric as it is a circular argument that leads nowhere. The latter two mentions are unproven to be Bagoas the eunuch or one or two other people, so they cannot be used to prove or disprove your theory.
What you could possibly use to support your theory is that Curtius says that Alexander 'presently' began a sexual relationship with Bagoas. 'Presently' means not straight away and although it is a stretch to make it equal five years (by which time Bagoas may have lost his looks), it could be possible. Equally though, that 'presently' could entirely disprove your theory and mean that Bagoas accompanied Alexander beyond Hyrcania.
Hi Alexias,
You have probably not read my first post which starts this thread and where I explained my reasoning. And as you have not quote my last post entirely, taken out of context, the sentence that you quote seems wild imaginings.But if it is indeed a theory, it is not an invention at all.
In his book 6, # 6. 14 to 17, Curtius said that Alexander's army progressed very slowly due to the weight of the spoils of war that the soldiers had accumulated during the last months.
So, Alexander gave orders first for his own and then the whole army's baggage to be hauled into their midst, absolute necessities alone excepted and the animals to be led off. And then he put a torch to his own baggage first and then gave instructions for the rest to be burnt.
I don't think that the 365 concubines and Bagoas were absolute necessities, so I presume that they were left behind at the palace when the army proceeded towards Bactriana.Because I can't imagine that Alexander who always set a good example to his men, required that they got rid of their spoils of war which slowed down the march but that he kept his 365 concubines. This incident took place when Nicanor died so probably around october 330 BC.And as we never heard of Bagoas until november 325 BC, it is not extravagant to deduce that he was left behind at the palace with the 365 concubines.
It was in november 325 BC that Phrataphernes, satrap of Hyrcania was ordered by Alexander, to sent him supplies after the disastrous crossing of the Gedrosian desert.To soothe that army which endured an awful hardship, Phrataphernes sent probably also entertainments, among whose was Bagoas, who had pleased the King 5 years earlier. Anyway, that was at this time that Bagoas won a dance contest and was kissed publicly by Alexander.
You are free to disagree with me but I am also free to present this theory.