ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 examines the passages where the Roman writers flattered and persuaded men of higher rank by making comparisons and analogies with Alexander. It explores the strategy of using Alexander as an exemplum with the purpose of gaining power, status, and authority in the social networks of the Roman elites. In the first subchapter the image of Alexander as a patron of the arts as an aspect of the rhetorical strategies and social negotiations used by Roman writers is discussed. Accordingly, there is discussion about Alexander as the patron of Lysippus and Apelles (famous artists) and Choerilus (a poor poet). Writers representing professions like poetry, engineering, or oratory made use of anecdotes that enabled them to idealize the cooperation in question. The following subchapter moves on to the stories of the king’s friends and philosopher–tutors. It investigates how and why the portrait of Alexander’s treatment of his subordinates – whether kind or bad – is compared to contemporary Roman social relations. Between these discussions is one on Alexander’s relationships with Philip the doctor, Hephaestion, and Aristotle. The last subchapter concentrates on the anecdotes of Alexander visiting the tomb of Achilles and mourning poets like Homer and the use of these moments in ancient texts. Through the employment of the anecdote, authors highlighted the importance of literature in their contemporary societies and defended their status as literary professionals and keepers of the Classical tradition.
