pothos.org

Did ATG had a high-pitched voice? It's said that even Philip was embarrassed by his son's voice.I don't believe this was true. Maybe, another hostile ancient propaganda ... what do you think?

POli,I have nowhere read about such, info, but it is worth to make a research on the topic.
Regards,
Lazar

Ok,I don't think this is true but what is true is that he played the lyra(I think) and sang to it and that supposedly Phillip was embarassed his son had loved music.At least that's what I read,Lane.

Hi Poli,If I remember correctly Alexander was considered to have a good singing voice, and a 'harsh' speaking voice, however I do seem to recall some mention of his voice getting high pitched whilst angry!?I don't think he had a high pitched voice during normal conversation- at least not after puberty!regardskit

I don't recall reading anything from the sources that relates to his voice or singing abilities, I may be wrong! Sound s like something from a novel!
Cheers!

I'm not sure exactly what source relates this tidbit i.e. Plutarch or Aelian, but it does exist.Alexander however, had a voice described as low and rather harsh as the Successors attempted to imitate him in their manner and Plutatch mentions the deep voice thing.However, he may well have had a high singing voice, which in fact, was preferred. If the incident as related is true, it is Philip insulting his son for no good reason. There was no love lost between the two.Regards,Tre

I stand corrected, Tre your right. Plutarch on Pyrruhs:8
'The other kings, they said , could only imitate Alexander in superficial details, with their scarlet cloaks, their bodyguards, the angle at which they held their heads, or the lofty tone of their speech'.Although I don't know that this gives us too much to go on?cheers!

Hi to all,Thanks for your responses. Well, this type of voice, described as deep and harsh, really gets in my picture of Alexander, the Greatest Military Leader of all times. There is no doubt that his Successors attempted to imitate his voice and head-posture. As far as I know, Philip was pride and personally commited to ATG's future. But, on the other hand, we have some examples about his cynicism and biting humor. I think this is the way he learned him to "keep his eyes open" and to be concerned about the way in which he appeared to other people. Philip loved Alexander... but, in his unique manner.Regards, Poliksena

The appears to be a quote about Alexander's voice in Aeilian. I knew I had read about it somewhere in a modern source, but couldn't find it - then I checked Renault's The Nature of Alexander. She says:"As a boy, he played and sang to the lyre; for this we have first-hand evidence from one who heard him. As a man, he was a constant and generous patron of musicians, but we never read of his playing or singing a note. An anecdote of Aelian's gives the reason. He had a rather high-toned voice, later to be much imitated, like all his other mannerisms; and Greeks preferred a sweet singing tone to a deep one. But one day his father heard him, and told him he should be ashamed to sing so well. Since someone recorded it, there was an audience. The slur of effeminacy must have been intended, and was certainly so received. It was probably not the only time his parents took out on him their hatred of one another."

I read somewhere (Plutarch?) that Alexander had a normal voice on the battlefield, but in normal conversation it was too high-pitched and harsh. I thought it was because he had too much energy to hold a normal conversation. Also, he couldn't sit still in philosophy class, and always had to pace about. They say Alexander gave the name peripatetic to Aristotles's philosophy school, since peripatetic means "to walk about."Since Alexander was so high-strung, a high-strung voice (at least at times) shouldn't be surprising. (Of course, the fringe element will say it's further proof that Alexander was a female in disguise. No beard? High-pitched voice? Let them talk.)John

John
You might have something there except for the little incident at Achilles tomb! What a surprise that would have been to everyone when (s)he stripped off for the race! To be serious though, I don't think anyone has ever suggested the "female in disguise" thing - where on earth did you read that?
Regards
Halil

John's getting gender and sexuality mixed up again... How *many* times have you been told.. :)I don't dare disagree with Mary Renault, but Aristotle wrote that the process of learning to play music was a good thing for a child - trained the mind - but an adult citizen should give up playing music, and instead enjoy the music played by professional musicians. It was demeaning for a citizen to play for others, and to be good at it would take their minds from other things - war, making laws, looking after their household etc Perhaps Philip realised this, and did not want his guests (were they Athenian?) to think his son might start taking requests from them. Alexander was a natural performer, as we know, and maybe it was this desire to please, as well as his skill, which didn't seem right in a future king. Philip was keen not to be seen as a barbarian, and as most musicians in Athens were not Athenian, perhaps Philip was averting future jibes or sneers, of which there were plenty from Athens. Just a thought

Linda -Thanks for the explanation of John's mistake. I understand now.Halil

The last thing I need is to have a mental picture of Mike Tyson in a tunic.

His voice was probably the same as Slim Pickins.
I feel it was high from too much bareback riding since childhood and into adulthood and being of smaller stature, this would create more percussion. (where are the e"QUOIN"e specialists?) I bet Colinn's been feeling it and been a little high pitched lately. Does a leopard skin work ok? Velkro sewn onto the "seats" would work better imo