pothos.org

There are more & more theories about AlexanderGÇÖs death. To show how easy they are to study, IGÇÖve come up with one of my own. In the paragraph on AlexanderGÇÖs death (http://www.pothos.org/alexander.asp?par ... %20(Death))
Nick suggests that the weirdest theory heGÇÖd come across was that Alexander died of a bite from his pet monkey. I mentioned this casually to the authors of the West Nile virus paper; and one of them suggested that I should look at it more seriously: so here it is: Cause of death:
Encephalitis caused by HerpesB virus simiae - caught from monkeys. Infection in untreated persons has a fatality rate of approximately 70% , it leads to ascending paralysis and eventual fatal encephalitis.1. Monkeys:
Eastern Hemisphere monkeys & apes are frequent carriers of Herpes-B virus, particulalry rhesus monkeys & Macaques. Rhesus monkeys live in Afghanistan, India, Thailand and Southern China, and were held sacred by the Hindus.2. Symptoms of herpes-B virus Simiae
http://www.mcl.tulane.edu/oehs/BVIRUS.htm http://www.primatesanctuarynsrrp.org/herpes.html Early signs (3-7 days) Inconsistently present
Blisters or ulcers at the site of injury
Severe pain or itching at the exposure site
Enlargement of lymph nodes in the area
Intermediate signs (8-14 days)

Fever
Numbness or tingling at the exposure site
Muscle weakness or paralysis in the exposed limb
Eye infection
Persistent Hiccups

Late manifestations

Sinus infection
Stiff neck
Headache lasting more than 24 hours Nausea and vomiting
Problems with vision, swallowing, walking, or other central nervous system (CNS) signs
Difficulty in performing mental tasks
Progressive ascending paralysis, coma
Eventual fatal encephalitis
3. Opportunity for AlexanderGÇÖs contact with monkeys Alexander certainly had a menagerie with him when he died.
Plutarch: 73 : "A tame ass attacked the finest lion in his menagerie and kicked it to death".Alexander was noted for collecting flora & fauna; Arrian (Indica) recounts the account of Nearchos, also educated by Aristotle:
"But Nearchos describes, as something miraculous, parrots, as being found in India, and describes the parrot, and how it utters a human voice. But

"But Nearchos describes, as something miraculous, parrots, as being found in India, and describes the parrot, and how it utters a human voice. But I having seen several, and knowing others acquainted with this bird, shall not dilate on them as anything remarkable; nor yet upon the size of the apes, nor the beauty of some Indian apes, and the method of capture. For I should only say what everyone knows, except perhaps that apes are anywhere beautiful. And further Nearchus says that snakes are hunted there, dappled and swift..... "This seems to imply that Nearchos described the Indian apes; in which case they would possibly be in the royal menagerie, or brought back with Nearchos. It would certainly be part of his job to bring back interesting specimens if possible.4. Possible contact in days leading up to deathAlexander's last days were spent listening to Nearchos' account of his voyage & travels (Plutarch 76) - what if Nearchos brought along an ape/monkey to show what heGÇÖd found ?If Nearchos had brought an ape or monkey along, Alexander, being Alexander, would have examined it and could have got bitten then. It would have been very much in character, I think, for him to try to handle such an animal - compare the taming of Bucephalos. He would have been the first to try - years earlier a page, Hermolaos, had been beaten when pushing in front of Alexander to get a boar - no-one would have dreamt of handling the ape before Alexander, and if he got bitten I don't expect anyone else felt like trying. 5. Sources
No-one would have dreamt of reporting that Alexander had died from a monkey bite, even if they'd suspected it.So, any comments ? There's no proof of course !Susan

There's actually scores of theories, many being published. My favorite, Ebola (and yes, there was an entire article on that one and there is that monkey connection). I expect one shortly on SARS...alas, civet, I knew thee well...

Well, I'm convinced... totally...

Hi Susan,I like the theory also, however I would add one extra point of inquiery. 'Why did the monkey want to bite him'? Perhaps the thought of travelling thousands of miles through hostile landscapes, being deprived of his natural habitat (I don't think they grew bannans back in Macedon), forced to endure year after year intolerable(by human standards anyway)conditions, having to dance or for that matter prostrate before his master may have been all a bit too much for the poor ol' monkey So I guess the monkey taking a bite of him wouldn't be all that im possible, but there'd be a lot of people you'd have to convice of that theory!cheers!

Off the top of my head : I'm assuming it was a Rhesus monkey. Euripides the poet died at the court of King Archelaos, Alexander's ancestor, in Macedonia. He wrote a play titled 'Rhesus'. So - we have 'proved' a connection with the Macedonian court. Now, who had just visited from Macedonia ? - Cassander. So, instead of an asses' hoof, Aristotle used a monkey.By the way, I've just found the Cassander is 'possibly' Prince William's 68-great uncle, and Winston Churchill's 69-great uncle. If we can find a connection between Churchill and Babylon, it's added proof.Susan

A Thracian monkey returning from Troy! That'll do it every time

Surely, any monkey from India would have died in the Gedrosian March? The skin would have sufficed as a specimen.Funnily enough King Konstantine died from a monkey bite in 1916 I think, some Greek king anyway.

Would you believe me if I told you that the supposed biting monkey was green? Alas the *green monkey*. That's a terrible thought, if I come across the individual that came up with this one I will give em a piece of your mind.