Revisiting the Roman Alexander

Green (1978) overturned the standard view of Romans' desire to compare themselves with Alexander the Great. He especially criticised the too-credulous acceptance of Caesar's ‘Alexander complex’. Gruen (1998) and Martin (1998) extended Green's arguments to include Pompeius. This paper...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antichthon 2013, Vol.47 (2013), p.80-100
Main Authors: Welch, Kathryn, Mitchell, Hannah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)
Alexander the Great, 356-323 B.C
Ancient history
Ancient Rome
Classical literature
Gaius Julius Caesar
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus
Greek literature
Gruen, Erich S
Plutarch (46?-120?)
Reputations
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Summary:Green (1978) overturned the standard view of Romans' desire to compare themselves with Alexander the Great. He especially criticised the too-credulous acceptance of Caesar's ‘Alexander complex’. Gruen (1998) and Martin (1998) extended Green's arguments to include Pompeius. This paper argues that in attempting to redress the balance Green, Gruen and Martin go too far. Alexander was a powerful icon in first-century BC Rome but the desire to be compared to him grew out of specific, not general, considerations. In the case of Pompeius and Caesar, emulation of Alexander was as much about competition between themselves as it was about any third party.
ISSN:0066-4774
2056-8819
DOI:10.1017/S0066477400000277