The Oracle

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Why did he visit the oracle? What did the oracle say? What impact did it have on him?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2004

Answers

i was expecting you mr. anderson...

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2004

Why couldn't the answer of the oracle just be true? Alexander WAS a spiritual son and disciple of the individual who was called "Zeus" by the Greeks and "Ammon" by the Egyptians. It is so simple... why look for complex answers? He had known it from early childhood and of course he was happy to hear about it from an independent source that validated his most sacred and treasured belief.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2004

As for straight bribery of the oracle by Alexander, I am sure that such a crass and open piece of corruption was never contemplated or necessary. Then, just as now, much corruption could be transacted merely by the willingness to go along.

The oracle knew perfectly well that wealthy, powerful people delight in good news and are generous to those who bring it. The oracle knew equally that a sharp rebuff draws no gratitude. When presented with the wealthiest, most powerful person on the face of the earth, asking you if he is truly a god, it is only natural to find a reply that gratifies the asker. All the rest comes as naturally as the sun coming up on the desert.

If anyone was 'bribed', it was probably Alexander. The bribe was just a little 'white lie'.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2004


Why was the oracle at Siwah such a changing event? would he have continued to try and conquer Asia if he hadn't bribed to recieve the answers he wanted?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2004

The concept of "oracles" was common throughout the ancient world; there were specific "sacred places" where priestesses and priests of various gods resided. They usually gave answers to patron questions that needed to be interpreted by the one asking. For an interesting case in point, see the answer Philip (Alexander's father) was given by an oracle. Taken one way, it would mean Philip was set to die; taken another, it meant he was set to win- Philip read it that he was to win, but apparently, he read it wrong!

Alexander visited several- which are you asking about?

Sikander

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2004



Impact? He was gobsmacked! As for what the oracle said, you wouldn't believe me if I told you.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2004

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