Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors by Adrian Goldsworthy

Author:Adrian Goldsworthy [Goldsworthy, Adrian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784978693
Amazon: B07YYGTQD8
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

19

‘Manifestly a large task’: The Siege of Tyre

The war was going well. Issus was the largest battle yet fought by the army created by Philip and honed by Alexander, and the spoils of victory were commensurately huge, on a scale unlike anything won by the Macedonians – or for that matter any Greek army – in past campaigns. Arrian claims that they found 3,000 talents of gold and silver in the camp as well as the greater wealth of the main baggage train at Damascus, which Curtius lists as 2,600 talents in coin, plus 500 lb of wrought silver, gold cups weighing 4,500 lb and others inlaid with jewels weighing 3,400 lb. This may represent the official figures for the spoils acquired by Alexander, and a good deal was taken by the soldiers and may never have been collected for formal distribution. The Thessalians were said to have done especially well at Damascus, and were selected for the mission as a reward for their courage. Apart from gold and silver there were other luxuries of all kinds, including incense, silks and ceremonial robes. During the thwarted attempt to carry off the baggage before Parmenio arrived, the bearers had wrapped themselves in purple robes in an effort to stave off the winter cold.1

Some 30,000 bearers and other servants were captured, along with 7,000 pack animals, all highly welcome additions to the Macedonian supply train. Less practical, if more visible, were Darius’ 329 concubines, most musically trained, and nearly 300 servants skilled in preparing food and drink. One especially exquisite casket formerly owned by Darius was brought to Alexander, who, after some deliberation and discussion with his Companions, used it to house the manuscript of the Iliad prepared for him by Aristotle. From now on this was placed under his bed at night to provide inspiration and solace, along with a sharp knife in case of more dangerous emergencies.

Like his father, Alexander was generous in sharing the spoils, and many luxuries went home, especially to his mother and sister. He also made a pointedly lavish gift of incense to Leonidas, suggesting that his former tutor need no longer be so stingy in his offerings to the gods. His officers did especially well, but so did the soldiers, many acquiring slaves and women as companions. The women had no choice, and initial encounters were surely often rape or the acceptance of one master rather than being subject to attacks from anyone. Over time, especially when the unions produced children, human nature will have softened at least some relationships, although how many of the women were ever granted something like the status of true wives is hard to say. Marriage was respected, and Alexander was severe in his judgement when two Macedonians were accused of seducing the wives of some mercenaries, but the status of mistresses was much less certain.2

Among the prisoners taken at Damascus were Theban, Spartan and Athenian envoys to Darius, although whether the latter were formal representatives of their polis or politicians acting on their own initiative is unclear.

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