ABSTRACT
The focus of this paper is primarily historiographical rather than historical. It seeks to relate some current views on the causes and objectives of war as presented by ancient writers to the specific case of the Macedonian invasion of Asia under Alexander.1 I do not wish to suggest that historiographical and historical aspects can be entirely dissociated. But there are numerous questions about the invasion beyond the purely historiographical, some of which are touched on below, that deserve fuller investigation than can be given here. Perhaps I should add that the emphasis in what follows on the material motives for the invasion of Asia by the Macedonians is not meant to imply that no other motives were present (such as the search for glory, at least on the part of the kings). I simply wish to react against the tendencies in some writers to underplay this aspect (e.g. Ducrey 1968, 159; 170; 1985, 228) or to draw a distinction between ‘political’ and ‘economic’ motives for wars that is perhaps artificial (cf. Garlan 1975, 183; 1989, 33-6). This approach may derive ultimately from statements in some of the ancient sources, which stress Alexander’s lack of interest in wealth and self-indulgence, as
compared with his pursuit of glory and his generosity to others, and draw a (perhaps artificial) contrast between him and his friends and followers.1
