The Collector Explores the Ancient Sources Behind 13 Attributed Alexander the Great Quotes
An article by The Collector examines 13 sayings attributed to Alexander the Great, differentiating between ancient writings and those from 19th-century literature and Hollywood. Notably, all existing ancient records were created centuries after his death, indicating that some quotes may be fabricated. Diodorus Siculus, writing in the mid-1st century BC, characterized Alexander as a hero, while Plutarch, in the 2nd century AD, depicted him as a fervent philosopher. Arrian, from the early 2nd century AD, is regarded as reliable, although his speeches are often viewed as fictional. The article organizes quotes by themes, including his response to Parmenio before the Battle of Gaugamela, and suggests that perceptions of Alexander are more significant than their authenticity.
Key facts
- The Collector published an article analyzing 13 quotes attributed to Alexander the Great.
- Many famous Alexander quotes come from Hollywood scripts or 19th-century novels rather than ancient sources.
- All ancient sources on Alexander were written centuries after his death.
- Diodorus Siculus wrote the Library of History in the mid 1st century BC.
- Plutarch wrote the Life of Alexander and recorded sayings in his Moralia in the 2nd century AD.
- Arrian wrote the Anabasis of Alexander in the early 2nd century AD, modeling his style on Xenophon's Anabasis.
- The article includes the quotes "I will not steal my victory" and "To the strongest."
- The quote "An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep" has no evidence of being said by Alexander.
- Mary Renault's 1969 novel Fire From Heaven contains a quote attributed to Alexander.
- The 1988 film Die Hard falsely credits a quote to Alexander through Alan Rickman's character.
Entities
Artists
- Alexander the Great
- Diodorus Siculus
- Plutarch
- Arrian
- Xenophon
- Philip II
- Parmenio
- Darius
- Cleitus the Black
- Diogenes of Sinope
- Aristotle
- Mary Renault
- Alan Rickman
- Gerard Hoet
- Domenico Maria Canuti
- Placido Costanzi
- Gaspar de Crayer
- Karl von Piloty
Institutions
- The Collector
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- British Museum
- Walters Art Museum
- Getty Museum
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
- Christie's
- Wikimedia Commons
Locations
- Macedon
- Greece
- Persia
- Asia
- Hellespont
- Granicus River
- Gaugamela
- Tyre
- Phoenicia
- Egypt
- Persepolis
- Alexandria
- Priene
- Pompeii
- New York
- Baltimore
- London
- Naples