Rhoesaces

Rhoesaces

Rhoesaces was the brother of Spithrobates, a satrap of Ionia, both who fought and died against Alexander the Great at the Battle of Granicus in 334. Alexander had claimed the life of his brother Spithrobates in the battle just moments before Rhoesaces could get there to help his brother. According to Diodorus of Sicily the fight between Alexander and Spithrobates happened like this:

:"He threw his javelin first at Alexander with so might an impulse and so powerful a cast that he pierced Alexander's shield and drove through he breastplate. Alexander shook the weapon off as it dangled by his arm, then applying his spurs to his horse and using the momentum of his charge, he drove his land squarely into the satrap's chest. At this the adjacent ranks in both armies cried out at the amazing display of manhood. The point, however, snapped off against the breastplate and the broken shaft recoiled. The Persian drew his sword and drove at Alexander; but he king recovered his grip on his lance just in time to stab at the man's face and drive th blow home."

Diodorus of Sicily goes on to describe Rhoesaces behavior:

:"The Persian fell, but just at this moment his brother Rhosaces galloped up and brought his sword down on Alexander's head so hard that he split his helmet and wounded his scalp. As Rhoesaces aimed another blow at the same break in the helmet, Cleitus (Clitus), known as "the Black," dashed up and cut off the Persian's arm."

Thus ending Rhoesaces attempted revenge for his brother's death. This act from Cleitus (Clitus), would lead to his demise later on in life. It is said that Clitus openly mocked Alexander of how he saved his life at Granicus, and that it was a reason he could not be a god. Alexander, in a drunken rage, stabbed his friend Clitus and ended up going into a crazed frenzy, even going as far as trying to impale himself on the spear he stabbed Clitus with.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Battle of the Granicus — Infobox Military Conflict caption=The Battle of the Granicus River conflict=Battle of the Granicus partof=the Wars of Alexander the Great date=May, 334 BC place=Granicus River (Modern day Biga Çayı ), Turkey result=Macedonian victory.… …   Wikipedia

  • Cleitus the Black — Alexander kills Cleitus, painting by Castaigne 1898 1899 Cleitus the Black (оtherwise known as Melas) (Κλεῖτος ὁ Μέλας) (ca. 375 BC 328 BC) was an officer of the Macedonian army led by Alexander the Great. He saved Alexander s life at the Battle… …   Wikipedia

  • Spithridates — (in Greek Σπιθριδάτης; lived 4th century BC) was satrap of Lydia and Ionia under the high king Darius III Codomannus was one of the Persian commanders at the battle of the Granicus, in 334 BC, in which engagement, while he was aiming a blow from… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”