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To what extent did Alexander shape the culture of his empire?

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To what extent did Alexander shape the culture of his empire?

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1. What was so wrong about Alexander's adoption of Persian dress and protocols according to the sources?

2. What was wrong with Callisthenes's conduct?

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(54.2) So Aristotle was apparently not far off the mark in stating that while Callisthenes was a capable and powerful speaker, he had no judgement. (54.3) But Callisthenes's firm and philosophical rejection of proskynesis, when he alone listed openly the objections secretly harboured by all the best and oldest of the Macedonians, was ratherr different. By restraining Alexander from establishing the practice of proskynesis, he saved the Greeks from great disgrace, and Alexander even more so. However, he precipitated his own destruction because he appeared to have forced the king's hand rather than to have persuaded him.

(54.4) Chares of Mytilene claims that when Alexander was once at a symposium he took a drink and passed the cup to one of his friends. The friend took the cup and rose to face the household alter; then, after drinking, he first did proskynesis before Alexander, and after that kissed him and took his seat once more. (54.4) All present followed this procedure in turn. Callisthenes then took the cup, but at this point Alexander, who was in conversation with Hephaestion, was paying no attention. Callisthenes drank and went forward to kiss the king, (54.6) at which juncture Demetrius, who was surnamed Pheidon, said "Your majesty, do not kiss him. He is the only one not to have done proskynesis before you". Alexander turned away from the kiss, and Callisthenes declared in a loud voice, "So I shall leave short of a kiss".

Source: Roisman, Joesph. (2007). Anceient Greece from Homer to Alexander: The Evidence. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell

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Alexander adopted Persion royal protocols and insignia in the hope of becoming less of a foreign conqueror and more an heir to established imperial traditions of the Persian Empire. Yet some Macedonians resented his policy for these very reasons. They were concerned that Alexander was losing his Macedonia indetify and feared for their superior rank in the realm as well as Alexander's decreasing dependance on them.

Of all the Persian practices that Alexander had adopted, the proskynesis, or obeisance, was the most sensitive. In the Near East people acknowledged a person's superior rank, king included, by prostrating themselves and blowing a kiss in his direction. The practice had no known religious significance and did not make the Persian king devine. The Greeks and the Macedonians, however, reserved this act for worship, and when it was done to mortals they equated it with servility and impiety. Alexander may have been concerned that Asians would think less of him if they saw the Macedonians and Greeks avoiding the proskynesis. He might have also have wished to eliminate difference among these groups in court as far as acknowledging his supreme status was concerned. Finally, even if the act was primarily a social ritual, Alexander surely knew what it meant in Europe. Indeed, the historian Callisthenes who articulated the opposition to proskynesis, highlighted the religious aspect of prostration.

The sources have two versions of the introduction of proskynesis. One reports that Callisthenes frustrated the experiment by giving a speech on the danger of blurring the line between divine honours and those given to mortals. In an other version reproduced below, Plutarch summarises Callisthenes main arguments and reports his refusal to perform the ritual during a symposion.

Source: Roisman, Joesph. (2007). Anceient Greece from Homer to Alexander: The Evidence. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell

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The Introduction to Proskynesis

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The introduction of proskynesis - Livius

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After the death of Darius III (July 330), Alexander was sole ruler of the Achaemenid empire. He introduced the Persian court rituals to his own court, which is called proskynesis. This meant that a visitor, depending on his rank, would have to prostrate himself, bow for, kneel in front of or kiss the king.

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How did Alexander spread Greek Culture?

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Dr. David Neiman: Alexander The Great Spread The Greek Culture

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Dr. David Neiman: Alexander The Great Spread The Greek Culture

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To what extent did Alexander shape the culture of his empire?

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To what extent did Alexander shape the culture of his empire?