Alexander the Great and Persia by Joseph Stiles;

Author:Joseph Stiles;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Military
Publisher: Casemate Publishers & Book Distributors, LLC
Published: 2022-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

The Royal Chariot

While in Asia, Alexander used a chariot on several occasions. It has been speculated that this chariot was, in fact, the royal chariot of Darius. Alexander captured Darius’ chariot in the aftermath of the Battle of Issus when the Great King abandoned it. After capturing Gaza, Alexander dragged the city’s eunuch commander behind his chariot, mirroring Achilles’ dragging of Hector’s corpse. At Babylon, Alexander entered the city on a chariot to much fanfare. The use of the vehicle at Babylon is crucial as it came right after his official declaration of Asian kingship. Alexander wanted to demonstrate his new royal status to the Babylonians.33

The most significant use of the royal chariot was during the capture of Bessus. As noted previously, Alexander rode up to the usurper in the chariot.34 His arrival occurred in full view of Spitamenes, Oxyathres and other members of the Eastern elite. Alexander was attempting to influence them by the display. Curtius provides a detailed description of the royal chariot that Darius used and the awe-inspiring image it would have presented to the viewer:

The king’s chariot, in which he rode was outstanding from the rest. Both sides of the chariot were adorned with images of the gods, embossed in gold and silver; the yoke was ornamented with sparkling gems, and on it rose two golden images a cubit high of the king’s ancestors, one of Ninus and the other of Belus. Between these they had consecrated a golden eagle, represented with outstretched wings.35

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