Greek Myths XS: Alexander the Great, Greek at Heart

Most invaders don’t see themselves as power-hungry potentates, but as the rightful heir of their neighbour’s territory. This was certainly the case for Alexander the Great, who conquered the Greek world – and then some – under the pretext of descending from the great Herakles himself. He could trace his lineage back to Herakles’ grandson Archelaus, exiled from Greece to Macedonia. He had been welcomed by king Cisseus as his heir, if he would save the kingdom from an imminent attack. After Archelaus had done just that, the king had a change of heart though, and laid an ambush: a pit with smoldering coals on the bottom, covered with thin branches. As the saying goes, it was the king himself who ended up in the pit. On advice of the oracle, Archelaus then established the Macedonian kingdom of Aegeae and a few generations later, baby Alexander was born. He was very proud of his Greek connection and saw it as his duty to preserve the rich Greek culture. How better to achieve this than with him as their enlightened ruler?

Athena Nikephoros on coin Alexander the Great, British Museum, London, UK

Alexander the Great with Herculean hat, bust, Pierre II LeGros