Week 4b: Daily #11

Question: How did Alexander create his own myth?

Alexander the Great created his own myth in many different ways on his journey of conquest. First of all, Alexander went to the oracle of Didyma and consecrated it. Then, a priest there announced that he was the son of God, according to the God Apollo. Even Apollo knew that Alexander the Great had the power to conquer the whole Persian Empire. As the son of God, more and more people worshipped and agreed with Alexander and his goal of conquest. Another part to Alexander’s myth was the Oracle at Siwa Oasis. When Alexander arrived with his army in Egypt, he traveled across the deserts of Central and Western Egypt to Siwa Oasis. When Alexander arrived there, he went to the oracle located there in town. On the steps of the temple, the Gods of Egypt told him that he was the pharaoh of Egypt and that he would conquer the Persian Empire. The Oracle of Siwa made the people realize that Alexander had the power and strength to conquer all of the Persians, another part of Alexander’s myth. Another part to Alexander’s myth was the Gordian Knot. In 333 B.C., Alexander the Great attempted to untie this secret knot. During that night, there was a violent thunderstorm, which Alexander’s prophet Aristander took as a sign that Zeus would help give Alexander many victories in his journey. So Alexander took out his sword and sliced the knot, untying it from the ox cart. This led people to respect him as the king of Asia. So these are different events that built up the myth of Alexander the Great. Alexander’s myth was important to his long journey of conquest.