Footnotes:
1. Alexander’s “ever to excel” quote is a paraphrase from the Iliad. (Book 6, Lines 279 to 290 of the Emily Wilson translation)
2. During his time overseas Alexander brought along a team of researchers and academics to document the natural history and culture of his conquered lands. One of the most well-known examples is his friend Nearchus’s expedition along the coasts of India to the Persian Gulf, which is retold in Arrian’s Indica.
Transcript
Book 2, Chapter Eight: Genesis, Pages 213 and 214
Ah! But the Servant interrupts.
“Hard at work as usual, my lord?” the Servant asks kindly, dinner of stewed jackfruit in hand.
With a prideful glint in his eye, Alexander replies as he receives his meal:
“Ever to excel; to do better than others; and to bring glory to my forebears. This is my ancestry; the blood I am proud to inherit.”
“It is good to see you back in good cheer.
I was afraid the incident with the griffins might have tempered your will.”
Alexander replies,
“No. In fact,
I’m very glad to have ascended.
I’m willed now more than ever.”
“While I was in the air, I measured the distance left till we reach Ocean.
A morning’s march!
I wrote about other things of note, too. Look!”
He showed the Servant the map, and the stacks of loose papyrus, and scrolls of goatskin: his calculations, records and drawings of the flora, fauna and miscellany encountered so far. His writing is impeccable; his drawings serviceable.
“Since I am without my usual band of scholars to document my observations,
their labours thus fall upon me.”
Carelessly as Alexander shows off his studies, he drops his mother’s letter onto the ground.
Chapter Eight 213-214
Footnotes:
1. Alexander’s “Ever to excel…” quote is a paraphrase from Book 6 of the Iliad (Lines 279-290 in the Emily Wilson translation).
2. During his overseas travels Alexander brought along a team of researchers and academics to document the natural history and culture of his conquered lands. One of the most well-known examples is Nearchus’s expedition along the coasts of India to the Persian Gulf, which is documented in Arrian’s Indica.
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