08-06-2009, 06:36 AM
I wasn't actually generalising - just referring to these individuals. Diodorus is likely adding his own gloss with the "plundering" of Asia. I don't see Alexander putting up with such whilst he was still drinking..er..kicking. And I agree that there are no hard and fast rules. I still find it interesting that the Greek word describing the weapons is plethora (plethos) and how that is then translated as "sufficient". Bit like rendering "a vast number" as "some"!
In any case, the clear implication is that many of these mercenaries were weaponless - a plethora of them. Pausanias twice states that (1.25.5 and 8.52.5) Leosthenes transported these mercenaries from Asia - in spite of Alexander's wishes. I imagine they had to get there in some fashion and it is reasonably clear that it was Leosthenes who was organising them - especially after the "Exiles Decree" - on behalf of an Athens with its Greek nose well and truly out of joint.
On an entirely different subject (or two), I read your Cannae reconstruction. You'd be suprised to learn that I have an issue!! Did you run to ground that secondary source claim re aspides? The Reader's Digest abridged version of the epitomised Plutarch Epaminondas is Paus 9.13 - 9.15.6. It is essentially "chapter headings".
In any case, the clear implication is that many of these mercenaries were weaponless - a plethora of them. Pausanias twice states that (1.25.5 and 8.52.5) Leosthenes transported these mercenaries from Asia - in spite of Alexander's wishes. I imagine they had to get there in some fashion and it is reasonably clear that it was Leosthenes who was organising them - especially after the "Exiles Decree" - on behalf of an Athens with its Greek nose well and truly out of joint.
On an entirely different subject (or two), I read your Cannae reconstruction. You'd be suprised to learn that I have an issue!! Did you run to ground that secondary source claim re aspides? The Reader's Digest abridged version of the epitomised Plutarch Epaminondas is Paus 9.13 - 9.15.6. It is essentially "chapter headings".
Paralus|Michael Park
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
