Rachel Alexander

HIST 134

Professor Lark

28 May 2017

Alexander and Achilles

There is little doubt that Alexander knew of Achilles and his accomplishments

from the Trojan War. Throughout Alexander the Greats life there are similarities to

Achilles life, strong parallels that lead historians to ask if Alexander was trying to

emulate the life of Achilles, or if the connection was made after Alexanders death.

Alexanders life parallels Achilles in many ways. Growing up, Alexander was

told of his connection to Achilles through his mothers, Olympias, bloodline. Both boys

were tutored by the best teacher of their time, Aristotle and Chiron respectively at a

young age. According to Atkinson, Alexander appeared to act with aristocratic-heroic

Homeric values. Meaning Alexander competitively sought out honor and fame from his

peers. Measuring his worth against standards like Achilles. Another act in Alexanders

lifetime that mirrored Achilles was Alexanders visit to Troy and ceremony at the tomb

of Achilles. Alexander and his childhood friend, and speculated lover, Hephaestion, laid

wreaths upon the tombs of Achilles and Patroclus in symbol of their love. Later in Gaza,

Alexander replicates Achilles acts against Hector by dragging a garrison commander

behind his chariot as punishment. Alexander even justifies his marriage to Roxane by

comparing her to Achilles claim of Briseis during the Trojan War. Finally, Alexander

stood out among warriors with a clean-shaven face and short hair, which is reminiscent of

the heroes of the Trojan War, including Achilles.

 Although there are many parallels and connections to Achilles, Alexanders

obsession is still questioned by historians. It is hard to tell if the story that Alexander

slept with a copy of The Illiad under his pillow are true and Alexander showed an

obsession for Achilles throughout his life, or the parallels made it easy for storytellers to

create and obsession after Alexanders death. Clues from history may be the only way to

know if Alexanders obsession with Achilles was real or created after his death.
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