Book contents
- The Cambridge Companion to Alexander the Great
- Cambridge Companions to the Ancient World
- The Cambridge Companion to Alexander the Great
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Maps
- Abbreviations
- Notes on Contributors
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Part I Alexander’s Life and Career
- 1 Alexander’s Birth and Childhood
- 2 The Crises Leading up to Alexander’s Accession
- 3 Alexander and the Greeks
- 4 To the Ends of the World: What the Campaign Was All About
- 5 Alexander and Egypt
- 6 Alexander and the Persian Empire
- 7 Alexander and India
- 8 Alexander’s Death, Last Plans and Burial
- Part II Contexts
- Part III The Historical and Biographical Tradition
- Part IV The Ancient World’s Memory of Alexander
- Alexander’s Timeline 356–321 BC
- References
- Index
- Cambridge Companions to the Ancient World
8 - Alexander’s Death, Last Plans and Burial
from Part I - Alexander’s Life and Career
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 January 2024
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Book contents
- The Cambridge Companion to Alexander the Great
- Cambridge Companions to the Ancient World
- The Cambridge Companion to Alexander the Great
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Maps
- Abbreviations
- Notes on Contributors
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Part I Alexander’s Life and Career
- 1 Alexander’s Birth and Childhood
- 2 The Crises Leading up to Alexander’s Accession
- 3 Alexander and the Greeks
- 4 To the Ends of the World: What the Campaign Was All About
- 5 Alexander and Egypt
- 6 Alexander and the Persian Empire
- 7 Alexander and India
- 8 Alexander’s Death, Last Plans and Burial
- Part II Contexts
- Part III The Historical and Biographical Tradition
- Part IV The Ancient World’s Memory of Alexander
- Alexander’s Timeline 356–321 BC
- References
- Index
- Cambridge Companions to the Ancient World
Summary
The chapter discusses ancient and modern treatments of Alexander’s death. It describes the omens said to foretell his death and their cultural and historical background, treating ancient versions of what led to Alexander’s death and attempts by historians and scientists to detect the working of poison, conspiracy, or less-violent and sinister causes. The rest of the chapter focuses on Alexander’s so-called last plans, their authenticity, the reasons for their rejection, and the contentious history of his body and burial.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge Companion to Alexander the Great , pp. 129 - 144Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024