Ranking the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the original viral list. It has captured the imagination of history nerds and travelers for thousands of years.
Has the mystery of Alexander the Great's tomb finally been solved?
New evidence has come to light in this ancient mystery that may finally provide answers to the mystery of the lost tomb of Alexander the Great.
A Breakthrough in the Search for Alexander the Great's Lost Tomb - Show Notes
In this episode of the podcast, I talk to British historian and author Andrew Chugg about his recent breakthrough findings in his search for the lost tomb of Alexander the Great.
Dancing with the Lion: Interview with the Author
I recently had the pleasure of posing a few questions to Jeanne Reames, ancient history scholar and author of the brand new historical fiction novel Dancing with the Lion: Becoming which tells the story of a young Alexander the Great.
Where was Alexander the Great planning to conquer before he died?
Given the vast empire he amassed in a single decade after leaving Macedon, it’s natural to wonder what he would have been able to do had he lived another 10, 20, or 30 years.
Is the Catholic Church hiding the body of Alexander the Great?
If this conspiracy theory is right, the bones buried at Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice aren’t actually Saint Mark’s. They’re Alexander’s.
Guest appearance on Ray & Cam's "Life of Alexander" podcast
Last week, I had the pleasure of being on The Life of Alexander podcast with Ray & Cam.
Alexander the Great's 3 Heroes
Alexander the Great has long been associated with the mythic heroes of ancient Greece. In many ways, it seems like he was one himself - the only difference being that we have proof Alexander actually lived.
Alexander the Great and the Secrets of Zeus-Ammon
Alexander's desire to visit the oracle of a god known as Zeus-Ammon led to one of the strangest and most mysterious chapters of his life.
Were Alexander the Great and Hephaestion lovers?
The age-old question. Were Alexander and Hephaestion lovers? Or merely close friends? It has been debated, and commented on, by countless historians and philosophers. So what do we know for sure, and what's merely myth?
The ancient sources on Alexander and Hephaestion
So far, I've looked at what Arrian, Plutarch, and Curtius had to say about Alexander the Great's relationship with Hephaestion. Now it's time to look at what some of the other ancient sources said about Hephaestion, including Diodorus, Aelian, and Diogenes of Sinope.
Robin Lane Fox's Hephaestion
Even though Fox's account of Alexander is immensely detailed, he admits it is not exactly a biography of Alexander the Great. Rather, it is an interpretation - one plausible take on Alexander and his career. With that in mind, what does Fox have to say about Hephaestion?
What was Alexander the Great's personal life like?
Alexander's personal life was complicated. We know that Alexander married at least three women during his short life: Roxane, Stateira, and Parysatis. However, that doesn't necessarily mean he had on-going, intimate relationships with all of them.
Curtius on Alexander the Great and Hephaestion
This post looks at what Quintus Curtius Rufus (aka simply Curtius) wrote about Alexander and Hephaestion. Curtius was a Roman historian who wrote The History of Alexander in the First Century AD (a few decades before both Plutarch and Arrian). The History of Alexander is considered one of the five main sources on Alexander's campaign.
Plutarch on Alexander the Great & Hephaestion
As far as I can tell, the first major insight Plutarch offers into Alexander's relationship with Hephaestion comes in Book 39, as he discusses Alexander's mother's habit of sending her son private letters from Macedon.
Arrian on Alexander the Great & Hephaestion
Arrian's first mention of Hephaestion comes in Book I of his account, when Alexander and his army visit the ruins of Troy. There, Arrian writes that Alexander traded armor at the Temple of Athena, then proceeded to honor the tombs of those who fought at Troy.
How Reliable is Arrian's Account of Alexander's Personality?
Arrian primarily relied on the accounts of Ptolemy (Alexander's childhood friend, soldier in his army, and ruler of Egypt after Alexander's death) and Aristobulus (an engineer who worked for Alexander). Both of these men knew Alexander personally and were present for much of his campaign, unlike other contemporaries of Alexander who wrote their own accounts.