Chapter 17 Philip’s and Alexander’s Use of Religious Cult in Our Extant Sources

In: Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great
Author:
Jeanne Reames
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Type:
Chapter
Pages:
429–476
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004715066_019

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Abstract

This chapter will examine how the histories of Philip, but especially of Alexander detailed various religious actions, dreams, and omens related to battles and other military action. (It will not address these things in non-military contexts, such as the famous dreams of Olympias and Philip about the birth of Alexander.) Even if Greeks did not view warfare through a religious lens in the same way as the Ancient Near East, both sacrifice and omen-reading played important roles, even to the point of occasionally delaying battles or altering tactics. Furthermore, the mantis enjoyed respect among troops and, if he fell in combat, his name was listed with the officers near the top of inscriptional commemorations of the war dead. Alexander’s personal religious devotion has often been remarked on, so consideration of how he employed, and sometimes manipulated, dreams, omens, and sacrifice is critical to any review of his expeditions.

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Series:  Brill's Companions to Classical Studies, Volume: 10 and  Brill's Companions to Classical Studies: Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean World, Volume: 10
Cover Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great
E-Book ISBN:
9789004715066
Publisher:
Brill
Print Publication Date:
13 Dec 2024
Front Matter
Introduction: Not the Usual Treatment of Philip II and Alexander III of Macedon
Part 1 The Combat and Campaigns of Philip and Alexander
Part 2 The Combatants
Part 3 Organization and Structure
Part 4 Maintenance
Part 5 The Psychology of War
Part 6 Nature of Command
Part 7 The Human Cost of War
Part 8 In Closing
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