Hi all,
I think read somewhere (I think in an issue of Archaeology Magazine maybe 10 years ago?) that stones were found in Central Asia with "Alexander was here" or the equivalent carved in Greek, indicating that he had conquered a particular piece of land. Now, I could totally be misremembering this, and I have scoured the internet looking for confirmation and have come up empty. Does anyone know anything about him doing anything at all like this?
Thanks!
Alexander was here?
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Alexias
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Re: Alexander was here?
Welcome.
It doesn't seem likely that Alexander would put down such a marker in Bactria or Sogdiana. They were part of the Persian empire and in campaigning there he was just taking control of territory he probably regarded as rightfully his own.
Could you be thinking of the twelve altars he set up in India before turning back? Arrian says they were bigger than towers (siege-towers?) so they were big enough to have left an archaeological footprint and were the kingly equivalent of "I woz 'ere". I have a vague recollection that someone claimed to have found a possible site for them.
It doesn't seem likely that Alexander would put down such a marker in Bactria or Sogdiana. They were part of the Persian empire and in campaigning there he was just taking control of territory he probably regarded as rightfully his own.
Could you be thinking of the twelve altars he set up in India before turning back? Arrian says they were bigger than towers (siege-towers?) so they were big enough to have left an archaeological footprint and were the kingly equivalent of "I woz 'ere". I have a vague recollection that someone claimed to have found a possible site for them.