THE MAN BEHIND THE SHIELD

The adhesive that held the Macedonian army together through the years of conquest was Alexander's personality. After battles, Alexander customarily visited the wounded, examined their injuries, praised soldiers for their valiant deeds, and honored them by a donation in keeping with their accomplishments.  As for those who fell in battle, Alexander arranged a splendid burial for them.   The parents and children of the fallen men were exempted from all taxes and forms of service.  For diversion after battles, Alexander held games and contests.  On one occasion, he even arranged a furlough for recently married men, enabling them to spend the winter with their wives, in Macedonia.   Such actions won him the affection and admiration of his men.

Regarding Alexander's marriage to the Bactrian Princess Roxana,  the Greek biographer Plutarch writes:  "It was, indeed a love affair, yet it seemed at the same time to be conducive to the object he had in hand.  For it gratified the conquered people to see him choose a wife from among themselves, and it made them feel the most lively affection for him, to find  that in  the only passion which he, the most temperate of men, was overcome by, he yet forbore till he could obtain her in a lawful and honorable way." 

Alexander also respected the marriage of others.  Though the wife of King Darius was his captive, he saw to it that she was treated honorably.  Similarly, upon learning that two Macedonian soldiers had abused the wives of some strangers, he ordered that they be executed if  found guilty. 

Like his mother Olympias, Alexander was very religious. He would sacrifice before and after battles and consult his diviners regarding the significance of certain omens.  he also consulted the oracle of Ammon, in Libya.  And at Babylon he carried out the instructions of the Chaldeans regarding sacrifice, particularly to the Babylonian god Bel (Marduk) (note: to me, when you are worshiping the wrong god, that is not being religious, not in the correct way.)

Although Alexander was moderate in his eating habits, he eventually gave way to excesses in his drinking.  he would speak extendedly  over every cup of wine and boast of his achievements.  One of the darkest deeds of Alexander was the murder of his friend Clitus, in a fit of drunken rage.  But Alexander was self-condemnatory that for three days he lay in his bed, partaking of neither food nor drink.  Finally, his friends were able to persuade him to eat. 

As time passed, Alexander's craving for glory brought out other undesirable traits. He began to believe false accusations readily and started to administer punishment with the greatest severity.  For instance, having been led to believe that Philotas was implicated in an attempt on his life, Alexander had him and his father, Parmenio, the advisor he had once trusted, executed.

Next time:Alexander's Defeat

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999