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Hello,

Just comparing Arrian and Curtius regarding the treatment of the king of Tyre.
Arrian says that he got off scott free and received a pardon- yet Curtius says that the king was killed along with 7000 other people or so after the 7 month siege.

It is surprising that in this case Curtius appears to present the more likely outcome, or does he?

After all that happened throughout the siege could Alexander have really left him off?

Best regards,
Dean

G'day Dean.

I suspect that we may side with the vulgate and Curtius on this one. It was a particularly long and nasty siege and feelings will have been running high at its conclusion - as even Arrian notes.

Plutarch certainly and Arrian, to a lesser extent, habitually apply a gloss to Alexander's less "cute and cuddly" actions and personal traits. Plutarch's explanation of Alexander's drinking is a salutary example (he liked to linger over a cup - talking - and enjoyed sleeping in afterwards for a half or full day).

There was much ventillation of spleen at the fall of Tyre and I doubt that either the magistrates or their king - shrines notwithstanding - avoided their share.

Hi Paralus,

Nice expression- "ventilation of spleen", will remember it.

Yes I can well imagine that after 7 months- with boiling sand being poured down their backs and other such exquisite treats for the Macedonians I agree. Tensions were running a bit high. Especially after the first mole being blasted by the Tyrians.

I must admit that the Tyrians had some guts- and God knows they gave him a real run for his money. I bet he was just about to abandon. I mean how long could he have stayed at Tyre? Indefinitely? I know that he came into big bucks after Issus but to feed his army as mentioned on a previous thread was a staggering amount.

Hercules was one of Alexander's "ancestors" so I guess that to be denied offering sacrifice within the town must have annoyed him too.

As with Thebes- the Tyrians seem to have felt the full punch of Alexander's fury- (scary thought) and so it is more surprising that Gaza responded shortly after with such admirable resistance realising the tornado that was heading their way....

Best regards,
Dean.

dean wrote: and so it is more surprising that Gaza responded shortly after with such admirable resistance realising the tornado that was heading their way....

I suppose, having seen Tyre, the average town may have incontinently capitulated. I imagine their lot may well have already been thrown in with Tyre? Either way, they seem to have felt that there was little to be had by allowing the Macedonians at their scrotums for what might be a shave having witnessed the neutering of Tyre.

lol's

Best regards,
Dean