Dr Adrian Goldsworthy
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
And, you know, medieval knights, samurai, all this emphasis on advertising yourself.
There's a nice story where Pyrrhus, later on, who's been acting like Alexander, changes clothes with one of his subordinates, who then gets mugged by this Italian Catholic woman who's been chasing him.
You can never imagine Alexander doing it.
Alexander would never pretend to be anybody else.
Because again, he's trying to assert himself, not just, you know, you've thrown the spear into Asia.
I'm claiming Asia.
I'm claiming all of the Persian Empire by conquest.
You've got to prove to the Persians that I'm going to win.
I'm not frightened of anything.
Gods are on my side.
Might is on my side.
Everything is on my side.
You're also to the Macedonians, your companions, proving that you follow me.
I really am your king.
I'm the best sort of Macedonian king.
I will do everything you expect of me and more.
And I'm not afraid of anything.
And it probably helps that he's only 21.
It's a lot easier.