Alexander the great

Did A Naked Philosopher Convince Alexander The Great To End His Conquests?

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The strange story of the Indian Mystic Calanus. Alexander’s Route From Macedonia To India, And Back. A popular song when I was young mentioned “Everybody wants to rule the world,” but how do you do it? It’s a question many have attempted to answer. And Alexander the Great is likely the closest to figuring it out.

Most believe he pulled off this feat with military power. While this is true to a degree, Alexander also relied on a hidden tool that went far beyond the power of an army. It was religion.

In F.S. Naiden’s Soldier, Priest, and God, he reveals Alexander’s father Phillip created a cult called the “Companions.” Consider it the ultimate club. Or as Naiden refers to it a religious guild.

They prayed together, with their “patron” being Zeus

Hunted together

Finally, they went to war together and risked their lives for each other. While originally for officers, Phillip opened it to the lower classes, expanding it into a devoted army. As Alexander took the place of his assassinated father, he planned a religious crusade to assume the throne of Persia, in the name of Zeus. Moreover, his religious devotion directed much of what he did.

He worshipped the local gods of whatever lands he marched through, associating them with classical Greek gods

Respected native priests and took their directions to worship

Eventually deified himself, becoming a god of sorts

Naiden explains in many ways Alexander functioned like a head of state, general, and religious leader all in one, which gave him a unique power to build such a world empire.

Unfortunately, this power of religion acted as both a tool and a club that effectively beat the Macedonian over his own head at points. It might have even convinced him to abandon his conquest of India. But before we examine this, let’s look at the power religion held over Alexander, and his use of it in his famous campaign.

The Power Of Religion Over Alexander

“Alexander always respected the rules characteristic for the places he visited, so he descended his horse and went to greet the Jewish Archpriest. Alexander’s general Parmenion suggested that the soldiers were displeased that he greeted the… Priest first. Alexander answered that he didn’t greet the priest, but the God he represented.”— Natalia Klimczak, Ancient Origins

While most focused on strategy, the first thing Alexander did when stepping foot in Persian territory was to perform a religious ceremony. Naiden explains the king jammed a spear into the earth. By performing the ritual, Zeus would award the land displaced to those who conquered it. Alexander’s next acts were visiting Troy’s ruins and making sacrifices. All this before a single battle. In fact, the Macedonian may have spent as much time praying and sacrificing as he did fighting.Just about every river they crossed required a sacrifice. They even coordinated actions with a religious calendar. Many sacrifices also required examining the offerings to discover if the gods approved of their actions. Ultimately, Alexander was the judge.

After battles, he also conducted rituals to honor the dead, created altars and worshipped local gods.

Alexander also made a dangerous trek with a small group of officers to a shrine (Siwah) in the Egyptian desert, almost dying in the process. Priests there rewarded him by telling the young man he was the son of Zeus (or Amon).

Likewise, historian Natalia Klimczak says Jewish priests in Jerusalem rewarded Alexander for his visit and praying according to their instructions. The gift? They showed him a prophecy from the Book of Daniel saying a Greek would destroy the Persian Empire.

Alexander even set a substitute king on his throne at Babylon by the recommendation of local priests to protect himself from misfortune.

While Alexander’s navigation through the waters of religion went relatively well in Persia, it got sketchy the further he got from home. Although it didn’t stop him from trying. In fact, the Macedonian saw something vaguely recognizable as he traveled through India.

“I have always liked the story of the Indian sages, some of whom Alexander chanced to come upon out of doors in a meadow, where they used to meet to discuss philosophy. On the appearance of Alexander and his army, these venerable men stamped with their feet and gave no other sign of interest.” — Arrian of Nicomedia, Anabasis [7.1.5]

In a famous instance, Alexander met a philosopher who cast aside ownership of all things. Diogenes lived by handouts. Furthermore, his lack of anything to lose enabled him to show contempt for the young king. According to author Ajith Kumar in his article for the Greek Reporter, the Macedonians met India’s versions of Diogenes. These holy men didn’t even own clothes.

These mystics stamped their feet at the approach of Alexander. He was told it was a sign. No matter how much you travel and own, eventually, you’ll be regulated to a grave in the earth large enough to be buried in. So, why search for more?

Arrian says Alexander invited these mystics or gymnosophists (naked philosophers) to join his entourage, but only one agreed, Calanus. The writer also indicates the mystic was important to Alexander. And it seems logical with the king’s interest in religion.

Kumar believes it went beyond this though. He says Calanus was an agent in the service of the Indian king of Taxila and references Indian sages. They write this was part of “kuta-yuddha,” which means a “battle of intrigue.”For instance, Alexander asked why Indian kingdoms constantly rebelled.

In reply, Calanus stood on a hide. As he stepped on the edges, other parts lifted continuously, but all rested flat by moving to the center. So, Alexander should do the same. Ignore far-flung places like India, and stick closer to home.

Kumar says Alexander ended his campaign after consultation with Calanus, and some unfavorable sacrifices at an altar. The king of Taxila also issued a commemorative coin with Calanus on it, where usually monarchs graced currency. It featured the mystic sitting on an altar.

According to Kumar, a Roman map also shows an altar in India, stating it was where Alexander accepted an oracle’s advice to end his campaign.

Calanus even followed the Macedonians to Persia, where he lit himself alive on a pyre after falling sick. Or perhaps it was just the end of his mission. It really makes you wonder.

A Naked Philosopher And The Power Of Religion

“Alexander and Porus” / Alexander Defeats King Porus In India (1673) — By Charles Le Brun Via Wikimedia Commons

The tale of Alexander is a fascinating one. But we get trapped in a story of armies, phalanxes, and generals while something more interesting was going on. Namely, spirituality helped conquer the world.

Naiden reminds us Alexander lived in a time of no atheists. Religion meant power. So, the Macedonian’s position as general, priest, god, and king gave him incredible leverage to build his empire.

However, it also formed an Achilles’ heel. As Alexander could deem sacrifices as good or bad omens to influence those around him, he could also fall victim to others doing the same thing.

In this way, perhaps Calanus was the ultimate weapon against him. Although this is just speculation. The king of Taxila might have used the image of this naked mystic as a propaganda symbol after Alexander left.

Although one thing is certain, Alexander’s story can’t be completely understood without recognizing the power of worship in his world.