Aristander

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For the architect with this name, see Aristander of Paros.

Aristander of

4th century BCE), a Greek from Caria, was Alexander the Great's favorite seer.[1]

Life

Aristander belonged to the entourage of Alexander's father,

Macedonian army. There are indications he wrote divinatory works, either before, during or after the expedition, although it is also possible these works were spuriously attributed.[2]

Aristander in the sources

A represents

Justin, S Strabo, I the Itinerarium Alexandri
. Passages in which Aristander is mentioned by name are marked with an asterisk (*).

  1. FGrH
    70, 217)
  2. Statue of Orpheus in Pieria sweats. Aristander interprets optimistically that it means Alexander will cause poets and musicians much sweat in reciting and celebrating his deeds. (*A 1.11.1–2; *P 14.5; I 17; Pseudo-Callisthenes, Alexander Romance 1.42)
  3. Army comes across a fallen statue of Ariobarzanes, former satrap of Phrygia. The seer “Alexander” [Aristander?] interprets predicts the victory at Granicus. (D 17.17.6–7)
  4. An insistent swallow bothers the drowsing Alexander at Halicarnassus. Aristander interprets the event to mean that a plot will be revealed to Alexander. (*A 1.25.6–8)
  5. Macedonian soldiers engaged in the siege of
    Tyre
    discover that some of the ration bread is “bloody.” Aristander forecasts that Tyre will be taken (because the bread is bloody on the inside). (*C 4.2.14; 17.41.7)
  6. Alexander dreams that Heracles invited him into Tyre. Aristander interprets this to mean that the city will be captured, but with Herculean effort. (*A 2.18.1, C 4.2.17)
  7. Alexander, besieging Tyre, dreams about a mocking satyr. In Artemidorus Aristander and in P “seers” play with words (“sa tyros”="tyre is thine") to decide that Alexander will take the city. In Ps-Calisthenes the Satyr also gives him a cheese (“tyros”) to trample. (Artemidorus, Interpretation of Dreams 4.23–24; P 24.3–5; Alexander Romance 1.35; Artemidorus incident unnoticed by Jacoby)
  8. Aristander, examining entrails, declares that Tyre will be taken that month, even though it is the last day. Alexander decrees a two-day change in the calendar, but then takes the city the same day. (*P 25.1–2)
  9. During the siege of Gaza, a bird drops something on Alexander and is caught. Aristander predicts personal danger for Alexander that day, and is proven right. (*A 2.26.4–27.2; *C 4.6.10–13; *P 25.3–4; I 46–7)
  10. Foundation of Alexandria. Alexander outlines city with barley meal. In P, S, I and Frag. Sab. birds descend upon it. Aristander projects a prosperous future. (*A 3.1.5–3.2.2; C 4.8.6; P 26.5–6; S 17.1.6; I 49; FGrH 151=Frag. Sab. 11; others)
  11. Eclipse occurs twelve days before the Battle of Gaugamela. Aristander (in A) or “Egyptian soothsayers” (in C) interpret the omen favorably. (*A 3.7.6; C 4.10.2–7; see P 31.4)
  12. Alexander conducts sacrifices with Aristander the night before the Battle of Gaugamela. (*C 4.13.14–16; *P 31.4;
    FGrH 148 = Pap. Oxyrch.
    1798)
  13. Aristander seen among Alexander's soldiers at Gaugamela. Points out an eagle directly above Alexander's head. (*C 4.15.26–27; *P 33.1–2)
  14. Aristander sacrifices before crossing the Tanais. He reports the omens are unfavorable. He is subsequently asked to sacrifice again and (in A) proclaims another unfavorable omen or (in C) changes his mind. C relates at length how Alexander rebukes Aristander for failing to report the first forecast directly to the king. (*A 4.4.3; 4.4.9, *C 7.7.8–9; 7.722–29, I 85)
  15. Cleitus interrupts a sacrifice to sample some fruit, but the sheep follow him. Alexander orders Aristander and “Cleomantis the Spartan” to interpret the event. Both interpret the event pessimistically. (*P 50.2–4)
  16. Alexander, having killed Cleitus, is consoled by Aristander, who “reminds” him of his prophecy (number 14). Alexander is cheered. (*P 52.1; see A 4.9.5)
  17. Athen.
    42 f.; I 97)
  18. Lysimachus blunders into the back of Alexander's spear. Alexander staunches the wound with his diadem. The bloody diadem impels Aristander to predict a troubled reign for Lysimachus. J has the event take place in India. (*Appian, Syriaca 64; J 15.3.11–14)
  19. Aristander scolds Macedonians for not dealing with Alexander's body, and predicts a bright future for the city that holds it. (*Aelian, Varia Historia 12.64)

Aristander's writings

Writings by Aristander are attested by:

Ptolemy I Epigone as dynast in Telmessos. Ptolemy as the son of Lysimachus inherited his father's claims, but eventually made peace with Ptolemy III Euergetes and the Ptolemaic dynasty
.

References

  1. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Aristander" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 494.
  2. Iaxartes
    . It is also said that Aristander and Cleomenes were instructed by Alexander to sacrifice on behalf of Cleitus' safety. Two other references to Aristander are almost certainly unhistorical: thirty days after Alexander's death Aristander was supposed to have predicted that the land that became home to his body would enjoy great prosperity, thus causing Ptolemy to bring it to Egypt; Aristander was also supposed to have predicted Lysimachus' kingship. Fränkel and Robinson 1929 believed that Aristander was a feature of Callisthenes' history and they attribute his disappearance after 328/7 to the historian's demise. It is more likely, however, that Aristander simply died of illness or old age during the campaign."

Sources

External links
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