Overview
The lecture explores Alexander the Great's visit to the Siwa Oasis, highlighting how claims of divinity influenced his reputation, political power, and unification efforts within his vast empire.
Alexander’s Character and Empire
- Alexander was known for his vivacity, bravery, and wide-ranging political and military achievements.
- His reputation was shaped by both real accomplishments and deeper social, political, and religious influences.
The Siwa Oasis Visit (332 BC)
- In 332 BC, Alexander visited the Siwa Oasis, a remote sanctuary featuring the temple of Zeus-Amon.
- The temple was significant in the Hellenic world as a center of worship for the god of the sun and air.
- During the visit, Alexander consulted the temple’s oracle through its prophet.
The Birth of Alexander’s Divinity
- The oracle declared Alexander the son of Zeus-Amon, marking the beginning of his divine status.
- This claim strengthened his rule and helped unify the many cultures within his empire by providing a shared figure of reverence.
Accounts from Ancient Sources
- Arrian describes supernatural signs, such as crows guiding Alexander, and suggests that the oracle answered as Alexander wished.
- Plutarch focuses on Alexander’s realization of having no mortal father and inquiries about his predecessor’s killers.
- Diodorus Siculus interprets the event as possibly staged—Alexander asked if he was destined to rule the world, seeking legitimacy.
- All sources indicate Alexander left the oasis with a new, divine status.
Evidence of Self-Deification
- Alexander’s divine self-image appeared on coins showing him with Zeus-Amon’s horns.
- Reports claim Alexander practiced proskinesis, a gesture of worship usually reserved for gods.
- Historian Robert Moorcock states such behavior was seen by Greeks as evidence of Alexander seeking deification.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Siwa Oasis — Remote desert oasis in Egypt, home to the temple of Zeus-Amon.
- Zeus-Amon — Syncretic god combining Greek Zeus and Egyptian Amun.
- Oracle — Religious figure believed to communicate the will of a god.
- Proskinesis — Act of bowing or prostrating as a sign of worship or submission.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the accounts of Arrian, Plutarch, and Diodorus Siculus for comparison.
- Examine primary sources for further details on Alexander’s self-deification and political motives.