Alexander the Great's Death: Poison or Natural Causes?
The cause of Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC remains debated. He died on June 11, 323 BC in Babylon after a 12-day illness featuring back pain, fever, abdominal pain, and paralysis while remaining lucid. Ancient sources like Arrian and Plutarch suggest natural causes, but Diodorus Siculus, Quintus Curtius Rufus, and Justin claim he was poisoned by Antipater, who allegedly used his son Cassander and cupbearer Iolas to deliver the poison. Potential poisons include White Hellebore and River Styx poison (containing calicheamicin). Natural causes such as typhoid fever, West Nile virus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or acute pancreatitis from heavy drinking are also plausible. The body reportedly did not decay for six days. Without remains (the tomb disappeared after AD 390), forensic analysis is impossible. Scholar Andrew Chugg recently argued that remains under St Mark's Basilica in Venice might be Alexander's, but the Catholic Church has not allowed examination.
Key facts
- Alexander the Great died on June 11, 323 BC in Babylon.
- His illness lasted 12 days with symptoms including back pain, fever, abdominal pain, and paralysis.
- He remained lucid until the end, communicating with commanders by nod or blink.
- Ancient sources Arrian and Plutarch attribute death to natural causes.
- Diodorus Siculus, Quintus Curtius Rufus, and Justin claim he was poisoned by Antipater.
- Antipater's son Cassander allegedly carried poison to Babylon; his brother Iolas was cupbearer.
- Possible poisons: White Hellebore (alkaloids) or River Styx poison (calicheamicin).
- Natural causes suggested: typhoid fever, West Nile virus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or acute pancreatitis.
- Alexander's body reportedly did not decay for six days after death.
- His tomb disappeared after AD 390; no remains exist for forensic analysis.
- Scholar Andrew Chugg claims remains under St Mark's Basilica in Venice may be Alexander's.
Entities
Artists
- Alexander the Great
- Philip II of Macedon
- Antipater
- Cassander
- Iolas
- Olympia
- Roxana
- Aristotle
- Callisthenes
- Andrew Chugg
- Giuseppe Cades
- Karl Theodor von Piloty
- Pietro Rotari
Institutions
- The Hermitage Museum
- University of Bologna
- The Art Renewal Center
- Wellcome Collection
- St Mark's Basilica
- Catholic Church
Locations
- Babylon
- Macedon
- Venice
- Italy