Originally posted by: luckySnow
Did Alexander really killed his father...
There was a man called
Pausanias, an important person, a wealthy
Thessalonian, and he had a very large and powerful army. He fell in love with
Olympiasand sent minions to persuade her that she should leave
Philip and marry him. Olympias did not agree to this. So Pausanias conceived a scheme, and made inquiries about
Alexanderto find when he would be out of the country. And when the time came and Alexander was at war with certain cities and the dramatic contests were going on, Pausanias learned that Alexander was abroad and Philip was at the festival. So he went, sword in hand, and hurled his weapon at Philip and was successful in stabbing him through the ribs. He did not die at once. There was great excitement in the city. Pausanias made haste to enter the palace while Philip was still alive, wishing to carry off Olympias. So he went in while Philip was drawing his last breath and suffering more from grief than from his wound. He was groaning and lamenting that, while he was alive, his wife was being wed to another by force. He longed too to see Alexander, who had been away a long time, for he remembered his ingenuity and his courage. He said to those about him: "If Alexander had been here, an enemy would not have attempted to commit a crime against his father and his mother. And if through an evil nature a man made an attempt, he was caught and he perished. And now, in great pain and sorrow, I approach the end of my life. But I say to you: when my son Alexander comes, tell him: 'Your father Philip thinks it fitting that through your mighty hand his death and the rape of your mother Olympias should be avenged.'"
At this very hour, the victorious Alexander returned and, seeing great excitement, he demanded the cause. He learned what had happened and that Pausanias was in the palace. He entered with his bodyguard and saw Pausanias embracing Olympias. And drawing his sword, he wished to stab him, but feared lest Olympias too should be killed. And Olympias said, "Throw your lance, my son, for
Ammonsustains me." And Alexander threw it and struck and mortally wounded Pausanias. So, having learned that his father was still alive, he dragged Pausanias to him and said: "I am here, Father, to wreak vengeance on your enemies. Live, king: Your name is immortal. Behold your foe, Pausanias, captured, standing before you, trembling." Philip, looking at him, no longer able to speak because of the loss of blood and weakness, gathered his forces, and, kissing Alexander, by gesture ordered that the sword be handed to him. Then, while Alexander feared for him, he dealt with his own hands the fatal blow to Pausanias and straightway killed him.
When he had dispatched his foe, Philip quickly regained strength and, because of the presence of Alexander and the proper vengeance, he said: "My child Alexander, it has been decreed that you be ruler of the world. Remember your father Philip and do not refuse to call me father. For my fate has been fulfilled. I do not grieve that I am dying, for I have been avenged; and I myself slew my enemy. Truthfully, then, did Ammon say to your mother, 'You have in your womb a male child who shall fructify you and shall avenge his father's death.' " With these words, he died. And Alexander in lamentation said: "Philip, father, King of kings, while you lived, no one despised you and did not pay for it. By awkward stroke your arm has dispatched Pausanias. How has perished from his wound the ruler of the world? The
CyclopsPausanias sent you to the gods before your time, and straightway justice dealt out to him his fitting reward." After this lament, Alexander prepared for him a magnificent grave and he laid the body in it and consecrated a shrine over the grave. Now when Olympias learned what had happened and the
Macedonianswere in a tumult, the presence of Alexander calmed them.