The exact location of the tomb of Alexander the Great, and his final will and settlement of his Empire have long been mysteries. The location of the tomb for instance has been lost for centuries. Initially buried in Memphis Egypt but later in the late 4th or early 3rd century BC, Alexander's body was allegedly transferred from Memphis to Alexandria, where it was reburied.
Historically its location was known for hundreds of years, it was visited by Caesar in 48BC and partially looted later by Caligula. In 199AD Alexander's tomb was sealed up by Emperor Septimius Severus during his visit to Alexandria, and then in 215AD, some items from Alexander's tomb were relocated by Emperor Caracalla for reasons that are not clear.
But by as early as 400AD, an archbishop of Alexandria asked to see Alexander’s tomb and remarked, "his tomb even his own people know not". Of course later Arabs (as late as the early 16th century), claimed to have seen the tomb, but the small sepulchre they were looking at hardly fits the description of the tomb of the conqueror of the known world (or even that described by earlier verified visitors), so it likely that the real tomb has been lost since the 4th century. In Constantinople for example, one of the museums exhibits an empty marble coffin which is stated as being his, when in fact it isn't.
However, recently David Grant a historian, has reported that at least both the location and contents of his final will have been found, hidden in plain sight it seems. He claims that an ancient sets of text called 'The Greek Alexander Romance' (a set of fables that developed after his death), contain clues and descriptions of what the will directed. These books include Alexander's burial wishes and final plans for his Empire, or so he claims.
Of course, like the various Tomb location claims, not one word of this can ever be proved, but it made for a diverting story just the same.
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| Is This His Sarcophagus? |
Historically its location was known for hundreds of years, it was visited by Caesar in 48BC and partially looted later by Caligula. In 199AD Alexander's tomb was sealed up by Emperor Septimius Severus during his visit to Alexandria, and then in 215AD, some items from Alexander's tomb were relocated by Emperor Caracalla for reasons that are not clear.
But by as early as 400AD, an archbishop of Alexandria asked to see Alexander’s tomb and remarked, "his tomb even his own people know not". Of course later Arabs (as late as the early 16th century), claimed to have seen the tomb, but the small sepulchre they were looking at hardly fits the description of the tomb of the conqueror of the known world (or even that described by earlier verified visitors), so it likely that the real tomb has been lost since the 4th century. In Constantinople for example, one of the museums exhibits an empty marble coffin which is stated as being his, when in fact it isn't.
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| Or Is This His Sarcophagus - Many Claims |
However, recently David Grant a historian, has reported that at least both the location and contents of his final will have been found, hidden in plain sight it seems. He claims that an ancient sets of text called 'The Greek Alexander Romance' (a set of fables that developed after his death), contain clues and descriptions of what the will directed. These books include Alexander's burial wishes and final plans for his Empire, or so he claims.
Of course, like the various Tomb location claims, not one word of this can ever be proved, but it made for a diverting story just the same.
Apparently when asked on his death bed who should inherit his crown he said 'to the strongest'. In Greek 'krateros' means 'strong'. One of his Generals was called Cratersos or Krateros.
ReplyDeleteSo this statement was ambiguous and kicked of nearly three decades of civil war and fighting. Krateros died in 321BC in a battle against another genersl Eumenes,still a second in command.
So if he had been chosen by Alexander, it failed.
Thanks for that Info. I live and learn every day .... I wasn't aware of any of that. Thanks for the comment.
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