How to Etch a Philhellene: Alexander I, Herodotus and historiography as a tool

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to re‐evaluate the role and importance of Alexander I during the Persian invasion of Greece, particularly pertaining the embassy to Athens and the night visit before the battle of Plataea. It is maintained that his role and importance in the back‐door dealings between the Athenians and Spartans while he was at Athens is probably exaggerated; while at the same time, in overstepping his role as an envoy of Mardonius, he had in fact harmed his reputation as benefactor and friend of Athens. Concerning the visit before Plataea, there is admittedly a certain pro‐Macedonian nuance in the narrative; yet, this does not mean that it should be treated as a standalone affair, separated from the rest of the narrative, but rather in context of a much larger piece of propaganda which aims to glorify the deeds of Athens at the expense of the Spartan ones – certainly not as an example of an interpretatio Macedonica.