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Alexander the Great on the eve of Gaugamela
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Alexander the Great on the eve of Gaugamela
Alexander the Great at the fire altar on the eve of the battle of Gaugamela. The scene, described by Plutarch followed a portentous eclipse of the moon, shows Alexander sacrificing before his tent to the god Fear. Date: 331BC
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Media ID 7195307
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10510796
Alexander Altar Eclipse Fear Libation Moon Plutarch Sacrificing Tent Tripod Gaugamela Invocation
EDITORS COMMENTS
Alexander the Great: A Night of Divine Invocation and Fear before the Battle of Gaugamela This evocative image captures Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) in a pivotal moment on the eve of the historic Battle of Gaugamela, which took place on October 1, 331 BC. The scene, as described by the ancient Greek historian Plutarch, unfolds under the cover of a moonless night following a portentous lunar eclipse. In the image, Alexander stands before a tripod altar, his eyes fixed on the fire as he offers a libation to the god Fear. The god, often depicted as a winged figure, hovers above the altar, his presence palpable in the flickering firelight. The scene is a testament to Alexander's deep-rooted belief in the power of the gods to influence the outcome of war. The eclipse, an ominous sign, had left Alexander and his troops uneasy. In response, the Macedonian king sought to appease the gods and dispel their fear with an offering to Fear himself. By invoking the god of fear, Alexander aimed to conquer it, both within himself and his troops, and to instill courage and resolve in the face of the impending battle against Darius III of Persia. The night air is thick with anticipation and the weight of history. The fire altar, the tripod, and the god Fear all serve as reminders of the ancient world's deep connection between religion and war. This powerful image encapsulates the human spirit's enduring quest for courage, strength, and divine intervention in times of crisis.
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