#A.B

[whymustyouhurtmeinthisway]

I know it's all jokes and I'm taking this too seriously, but all those A.B.A. cheating/Paracelsus cuck memes going around on Guilty Gear twitter piss me off a little. Not because they're getting in the way of my ship or anything like that, but because they fundamentally misunderstand A.B.A. and Paracelsus' dynamic to a ridiculous degree

A.B.A.'s unstoppably obsessed with Paracelsus, her soul's consumed by almost nothing but the overwhelming desire to be connected with him at every single waking moment. She'd never even consider "cheating" on him for a second, and even if she did she wouldn't take it even the slightest bit lightly. If she were to ever feel even a hint of attraction to anyone besides Paracelsus, she'd immediately undergo spine-tearing amounts of remorse, inner conflict, rage, doubt, and a thousand other negative emotions towards herself for even thinking about "cheating" on her beloved "husband" for a millisecond. I'm not gonna yell at you for making lighthearted ship art between her and another character or anything, but to me it'd be pretty out of character for her to just casually love someone else without massive inner torment before, during, and after the fact.

All the Paracelsus cuck jokes don't work at all because Paracelsus would be nothing but overjoyed if A.B.A. were to move on from him and find someone who actually loves her back. To be a cuck you gotta be feel a) distraught that your significant other's cheating on you, and b) turned on by it despite the circumstances, and Paracelsus fits neither of those by a long shot. Though he respects and cares for A.B.A. as a friend, he feels absolutely no romantic or sexual attraction towards her, and wants more than anything for her to not be in love with him. 100% of the "marriage" stuff between him and A.B.A. was done entirely without his consent, he takes every opportunity to remind people that he's not actually A.B.A.'s husband and doesn't love her the way she does, and the only reason he sticks with A.B.A. at all is because he's literally incapable of moving on his own to get away (and also because she'd be devastated were he to leave and he's too nice to put her through that).

In conclusion, Paracelsus would be extremely happy if A.B.A. were to ever "cheat" on him, not because he has any cuckholdish or voyeuristic tendencies, but because the two of them aren't actually in any kind of romantic or sexual relationship at all in the first place (no matter how much A.B.A. believes they are) and he'd love for her to move on from him to someone who actually loves her back (both for her sake and his own)

#to all non-guilty-gear-fans confused by this post: Paracelsus is also a giant sentient key. hope that helps! #guilty gear #a.b.a guilty gear #a.b.a #a.b.a. #a.b #a.b.a. guilty gear #aba #aba guilty gear #paracelsus #paracelsus guilty gear #me

[aaflovedatbounz]

Daddy...

I Just Wanna Be Yo Gurl !

▶️ 📎 & YT Audio @ Same ⏰️.

#Need Ah Name 4 Dis Beautiful AF Woman #I just wanna be your girl #anita baker #i golfed a few timez wit her ex Walter #A.B #my 313 hommie #hot 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #youtube #you tube

[duskwoodgirl4life]

Chapter 2

Cleo left the note somewhere for the mystery man to see it, when she arrived at work the next day she was hoping to find another note but nothing was left. MC and Cleo opened up the shop and started their day. The shop was so busy Cleo didn't notice that a note had been left for her.

Dear sweet Cleo I have received your note, unfortunately I can not allow you to find out who I am. I am not ready for you to know who I am one day, my sweet angel. One day we will look into each other's eyes. A.B

Cleo: I'm never going to find out who this guy is

MC: there must be away we can find out who he is

Jake: maybe I could help after all I am a detective

MC: Jake! Your back it's so good to see you, how long have you been back?

Jake: I've been back a few days now I've just started my new job at duskwood police station

MC: that's fantastic I'm so happy for you

Jake: thanks MC

Jake's POV

It's so good to be back in duskwood. I've missed this place, I've missed hanging out with MC. She always knows how to make me laugh. I wish she could have come with me when I went to Washington but as my boss said it was a very important training course and we all had to stay focused. Now that I am back I get to see MC again. She is my best friend. I am so proud of her and Cleo for opening up their own business. They always talked about doing it one day and now they have.

I've been assigned a new partner whose name is Astrid. She transferred here from Colville and has been living in duskwood for a couple months now. We have been getting on really well. She's like a big sister to me. I'm the younger one and I'm her boss but we love working together.

I decided to take her out for coffee and cake so we went to see MC and Cleo, we ordered some cake and coffee and went to sit down.

MC: here you go two coffees and two slices of cake enjoy

Jake: thanks MC

MC walked back over to the counter to serve a few more customers, once the rush was over Cleo came over to MC.

Cleo: Do you think Jake could figure out who this mystery man is?

MC: I don't see why not why don't you ask him

Cleo: I don't like to could you do it for me after all you two are practically dating

MC: We are not! Yes I might find him incredibly hot but

Jake: Who's incredibly hot?

MC spun round her eyes widened as she felt her face turning red, Cleo kept nudging MC to tell him. MC tried to speak but words just wouldn't come out before she had a chance Cleo spoke for her.

Cleo: MC finds you incredibly hot

MC: CLEO!! I.i. j.jak…

MC felt her face turning red Jake just stood there looking at her not saying a word, MC finally managed to form a sentence.

MC: I'll be right back, I have to murder my business partner

Jake: No wait, I'm glad she said something MC I feel the same way.

MC: Wait what!! You do?

MC came from behind the counter as Jake took her hand, he placed a soft kiss on her hand and gave her a hug. As they hugged he whispered 'will you go out with me tonight?'

MC whispered back 'yes' as they pulled apart Jake couldn't help but wrap his arm around MCs waist. As they were all standing talking Richy came in to grab a coffee and that's when he saw Astrid for the first time. Their eyes met across the room; he was so focused on Astrid that he never noticed Cleo trying to get his attention.

Cleo: Earth to Richy? Hello? Anyone there?

Richy; oh sorry Cleo, I have to ask who's that sitting with Jake and MC

Cleo: that's Astrid she's Jake's new partner they have been working together for awhile now

Richy: Do you know if she's single?

Cleo: that you will have to ask yourself

Cleo made Richy's coffee after making it they both headed back to the table, sitting down Richy introduced himself he and Astrid hit it off right away.

MC: Jake do you think you will be able to help Cleo?

Jake: sure, give me all the information you have and I will see what I can find

Cleo: thanks Jake, I'll go get it for you now

Jake: should I pick you up at 7pm?

MC: perfect it will give me time to get home shower and change

Richy: I'm sorry but I have to ask this. Would you like to go on a date with me?

Astrid: I'd love to Richy

Richy: where would the lady like to go?

Astrid: Well I'd really like to go watch fast and furious 9 I haven't seen it yet

Richy: I love fast and furious. I'll book us two seats for tomorrow night if that's okay?

Astrid: that's perfect

Jake and Astrid left with Richy and they all went back to work, while MC was cleaning down the tables she found another note attached to a small box. She picked it up and saw that it had Cleo's name written on the front. She called Cleo over and she opened the box inside and there were 3 rose petals.

To my darling Cleo,

A rose petal for each day I have known you I long for your heart, one day we shall meet and I hope that you feel the same way I do until next time my love A.B xx

Cleo: this guy is really starting to freak me out now

MC: don't worry Cleo, Jake will find out who it is

Cleo: I hope so

MC: I'm seeing him later so I'll give him these

Cleo: thanks MC, why don't you go early I can close the shop

MC: Are you sure?

Cleo: sure, I don't mind

MC: thanks Cleo your the best

MC grabbed her jacket and keys and headed to her car to go home, Cleo started to close the shop up after she had finished cleaning she grabbed her jacket and keys and headed for the door. While she was waiting for the shutter to come down she spotted another box on the floor. This time there was no note with it but she knew who it was from picking the box up she opened it and inside was a heart pendant.

Cleo started to freak out so she shoved the pendant back in the box and headed for MCs apartment before she went on her date with Jake. Cleo jumped in her car and drove to MCs luckily MC didn't live too far away so it didn't take Cleo long to get there. When she arrived Cleo grabbed the box and went into the apartment complexe heading straight to MCs apartment. She knocked on the door and waited for MC to answer.

MC: oh hey Cleo, what's up?

Cleo: I just got another box from this creep look what he's sent me this time

MC: A heart pendant, was there any note with it?

Cleo: No, there was no note with it this time MC I don't know how much more I can take

MC: don't worry, give me the box and I will give it to Jake

Cleo: I don't even want to think about what could be waiting for me at home

MC: your welcome to crash here tonight

Cleo: Do you mean that? That would be great

MC: of course, I just haven't made the spade bed up thon

Cleo: no need to worry about that I can take care of that, thank you MC

MC: no problem

While MC was making the final touches to get make up Cleo had just arrived back after going to pick up an overnight bag. MC showed her where everything was and to help herself to what she wanted. Jake had arrived to come and pick up MC for their date MC grabbed her keys and jacket and headed out on her date.

#duskwood #everbyte game #duskwood jake #duskwood hacker #iamjake #duskwood jake x mc #i love you jake #jake x mc #he loves me #i love you #coffee shop romance #coffee shop #A.B

[dottssapatrizia]

 Vorrei aprire un negozio:

un negozio di parole.

Un negozio

dove ognuno che ne avesse bisogno

potrebbe venire a prendersi la parola giusta,

quella che cercava e non trovava.

E io gliela offrirei.

Le parole non sarebbero in vendita.

Io le donerei o le presterei

se servissero per una volta sola.

Le riparerei con amore

quando fossero state troppo usate

o maltrattate.

Darei loro un soffio di vita

quando stessero per morire.

Me ne occuperei.

buongiorno

#a.b

[sweetnspxcy]

I’d like to think that life is still beautiful when there is a tightness around your heart. When you want to curl into a ball and sleep, watching the day fade. Life is still beautiful just taken day by day.

#a.b

[meta-x-tasis]

Seré tu Luna si eso deseas, viéndonos en la lejanía, en la oscuridad de la noche, aunque a veces tú no puedas, y mi reflejó no sea el mismo, hay estaré para tí, influyendo en tus mareas.🌙🌊

#luna #el monte de las musas #frases #a.b #amor #uno aprende #mareas #lejanía

[dear--charlie]

Dear Charlie,

I am filled with ambivalence. I want to change the past without touching the future. I want to forget. 😞 I am searching for a path back to the present.

Sincerely,

A.B

#dear charlie #A.B

[darkgamer-900]

A.B Art dump

Ik it's 3 pictures but that's all I could find

#bbieal #baldis basics #baldi #baldi's basics in education and learning #baldi's basics #bbieal fanart #baldi au #bbieal au #Gay #a.b #That one big dog that acts like a husky #it's terrified of a lot of things

[eloenmaerdrym]

Burning calories

Credits a.b – Raven – LeLu Evo X – Holiday special GiftJack Spoon. Blame it on the Boogie MakeupWasabi // Hollis Hair – Absolute Pack @ Kustom9 ❤Jeune by Rowne.Noe Split Bodysuit – Camel[BB] Belzebubble – Gym Gloves – DynaPhedora ~ Benjamin Chunky Sneakers 30Colors Fatpack Poses Ana Poses – Workout 8 Decor Granola. Evergreen Cluttered Shelf ❤Lagom  – At home Gym @ The Fifty ❤

View On WordPress

#a.b #Ana Poses #decor #decoration #eloen&039;s other world #Granola. #Gym #JackSpoon #Kustom9 #Lagom #Phedora #releases #Rowne #sl #The Fifty #Wasabi

[bappledilk]

garfield and hello kitty picnic? garfield and hello kitty picnic.

#art #artwork #artist #digital art #digital artwork #digital artist #garfield #garfield and friends #sanrio #sanrio hello kitty #hello kitty #garfield fanart #sanrio fanart #hello kitty fanart #a.b creative 1 #a.b creative 2 #a.b fandom 1 #a.b fandom 2

[duskwoodgirl4life]

Chapter 3

MC and Jake headed out on their date Cleo was busy making up the bed in the spare bedroom when there was a light knock at the door. She stopped what she was doing and went to see who it was when she looked through the pee hole no one was there. She opened the door slightly making sure to keep the security chain on. She looked down and saw a dozen red roses with a card sticking out the top.

Cleo bent down to pick up the flowers quickly, closing the door and making sure it was locked. She took a look at the note it was from her mystery man. Good evening my love I saw that you are staying out tonight and wanted to drop off these roses. Have a lovely evening A.B

Cleo put the flowers on the kitchen counter and went back to making the bed, MC and Jake arrived at the black swan and were shown to their seats. Jake had booked a private romantic table and candles illuminated the table. In the center of the table sat a small boutique of flowers. MC sat taking in her surroundings everything was perfect so beautifully laid out.

Jake and MC looked over the menu and ordered their food, Jake had a bottle of wine sent to the table. It was one of MCs favorite wines Jake knew her tastes so well.

MC: thank you Jake

Jake: no need to thank me your worth it

MC: Can I ask, how long have you liked me?

Jake: I've liked you for some time I missed you so much while I was away

MC: I missed you to I was so happy when you came back

MC and Jake talked for most of the night. They had a wonderful night out together, MC filled Jake in on what had been going on with Cleo and all the gifts and messages she had received. Jake promised to start looking into everything in the morning, as it was a warm summer's evening Jake drove down to the lake.

He took MCs hand and walked to a secluded area where there was a bench that overlooked the lake. They sat down looking out at the water rippling away. Jake turned to MC and smiled as he moved some of her hair away from her face.

MC: Jake…

Jake: Yes MC?

MC: Are you going to kiss me?

Jake couldn't help but chuckle. He lifted MCs chin up with his fingers and kissed her softly on the lips. MC wrapped her arms around Jake's neck and pulled him closer closing the gap between them. As they pulled away to catch their breath Jake looked into MCs eyes and smiled. They sat cuddled up for awhile before heading back to MCs apartment they walked hand in hand back to the car.

When they arrived back at the apartment MC invited Jake in, Cleo had already gone to bed when they got back.

MC: thank you for a wonderful evening Jake

Jake: no thanks needed it was a pleasure

MC: it seems silly but it feels like we have been a couple for ages

Jake: we have in a way we have been best friends for 4 years

MC: and everyday you get more handsome

Jake moved closer to MC stroking her face with his fingers, leaning in, he lightly kissed her. MC wrapped her arms around Jake taking in his warmth and scent they stairs like that for a few moments.

Jake: I hate to say this but I should get going

MC: I hate that you have to go

Jake: we will see each other tomorrow I promise

Just as Jake was heading for the door MC called him back, he turned round and saw the note she had in her hand.

MC: It's another note from the mystery man

Jake: this one as the name of the flower shop I will pay them a visit tomorrow morning

MC: thank you for doing this for Cleo I know it means a lot to her

Jake: it's my pleasure

Jake kissed MC goodnight as headed out to his car to go home, MC leaned against the door with a smile on her face she hadn't been this happy in awhile. The next morning MC woke up to the smell of coffee MC got out of bed making her way to the kitchen.

MC: Hey, what's all this?

Cleo: Morning, I thought I would make us breakfast

MC: wow! It all looks amazing thank you Cleo

Cleo: Your welcome, did you have a good night last night?

MC: it was perfect I had the best time, I noticed when we got back that there was another note

Cleo: Yeah, he left it outside your apartment door how did he know I would be here

MC: he must of seen you somehow Jake is stopping by the coffee shop later so we can fill him in

Cleo: your a good friend MC

MC and Cleo sat down to eat breakfast then got ready to start the day, when they arrived at the shop luckily there was no note or gift outside. Cleo went to get all the cakes made up while MC put the chalk board outside with today's special blend of coffee and cake. The morning rush had started customers ordering their coffee on their way to work.

Once the rush had claimed down it gave MC a chance to whip down the tables and collect the empty coffee mugs. Cleo had just finished baking some cookies she was putting them onto the trays. Soon the lunch time rush was upon them the shop was busier than ever Jake had arrived with his partner Astrid. He noticed how busy Cleo and MC were so they took a seat and waited for the rush to pass.

MC: Oh hey, sorry I didn't come over

Jake: Don't worry about it

MC: What can I get you?

Astrid: can I get a strawberry frappuccino

MC: Sure thing, Jake what can I get you?

Jake: can I get an iced coffee

MC: I'll be right back

MC went to make the drinks and Cleo brought over two slices of freshly made apple pie. All 4 sat down and went over what had been happening to Cleo.

Cleo: have you managed to find anything out yet?

Astrid: we paid a visit to the flower shop the owner remembers the male who came in

Jake: we were hoping for a digital trail but he paid in cash, we do have put sketch artist working with the owner

Astrid: we also found out that he as visited the shop more than once, he was seen waiting outside for the shop to open on more than one occasion

Jake: we have some more leads to follow up on, we will find him Cleo

Cleo: thank you guys so much for all your help

The 4 carried on talking until it was time for Jake and Astrid to get back to work, MC and Jake made plans to meet up later and Astrid was going on her first date with Richy.

#duskwood #everbyte game #duskwood jake #duskwood hacker #iamjake #duskwood jake x mc #i love you jake #jake x mc #he loves me #i love you #coffee shop romance #coffee shop #A.B

[tag-if]

How would the RO's react to MC biting them out of nowhere (affectionately)?

LOL ah, of course, the universal neurodivergent sign of affection

A. Bellefleur; confused at first, assumes they've done something to upset you. once you explain they chuckled fondly and lightly bite your shoulder in return ("I want to tell you that I love you in every language," they explain matter-of-factly)

K. Valiev; they barely flinch, smiling confusedly at you. once you explain they nod in understanding, you notice that they aren't wearing their heavy armour around you if they can possibly help it (they wear their light armour, the material softer on your mouth and teeth)

A. Caras; they grumble at you, asking what the hell that was for. once you explain, you find that they start doing the same to you every so often, their teeth grazing your shoulder or arm before they go back to whatever they were doing

T. Bellefleur; laughs, asking you what you think you're doing. once you explain, they laugh delightedly, pressing a light kiss to your cheek ("in that case, firecracker, you can bite me whenever you want," they grin proudly, overjoyed at your alternate method of affection)

M. Serrel; they gently flick your nose, asking you why you'd bite them. once you explain, they press a purposely loud kiss to your lips ('mwah' sound and all) and coo how cute you are for that, you find they do it every now and again with a giggle before going back to whatever they were doing

#tag-if #the advisor's game #twine wip #ro ask #ro; a. bellefleur #ro; k. valiev #ro; a. caras #ro; t. bellefleur #ro; m. serrel #it's me #my poor partner gets chomped at random intervals #he's quite a bit taller than me though #so it can be pretty comedic to watch #anyway #i think a.b would still be Baffled #they join in cause they love mc dearly #but they Don't Get It lmao #they're trying their best #valiev's armour is usually a lightweight metal #but they'll switch to a sort of soft leathery one #for the good of MC's teeth

[bangbangwhoa]

books I’ve read in 2024 📖 no. 047

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

“She is not the end of anything, but the beginning of everything. He has been dead a long time, and she is his resurrection."

#books #2024 reads #where the dark stands still #a.b. poranek #booklr #lit edit

[jeannereames]

I see you talk a lot about historiography! What would you consider the most important development of Alexander’s historiography?

What the Hell is Historiography? (And why you should care)

This question and the next one in the queue are both going to be fun for me. 😊

First, some quick definitions for those who are new to me and/or new to reading history:

Historiography = “the history of the histories” (E.g., examination of the sources themselves rather than the subject of them…a topic that typically incites yawns among undergrads but really fires up the rest of us, ha.)

primary sources = the evidence itself—can be texts, art, records, or material evidence. For ancient history, this specifically means the evidence from the time being studied.

secondary sources = writings by historians using the primary evidence, whether meant for a “regular” audience (non-specialists) or academic discussions with citations, footnotes, and bibliography (sometimes referred to as “full scholarly apparatus”).

For ancient history, we also sometimes get a weird middle category…they’re not modern sources but also not from the time under discussion, might even be from centuries after the fact. Consider the medieval Byzantine “encyclopedia” called the Suda (sometimes Suidas), which contains information from now lost ancient sources, finalized c. 900s CE. To give a comparison, imagine some historian a thousand years from now studying Geoffry Chaucer from the 1300s, using an entry about him in some kid’s 1975 World Book Encyclopedia that contains information that had been lost by his day.

This middle category is especially important for Alexander, since even our primary sources all date hundreds of years after his death. Yes, those writers had access to contemporary accounts, but they didn’t just “cut-and-paste.” They editorialized and selected from an array of accounts. Worse, they rarely tell us who they used. FIVE surviving primary Alexander histories remain, but he’s mentioned in a wide (and I do mean wide) array of other surviving texts. Alas this represents maybe a quarter of what was actually written about him in antiquity.

OKAY, so …

The most important historiographic changes in Alexander studies!

I’m going to pick three, or really two-and-a-half, as the last is an extension of the second.

FIRST …decentering Arrian as the “good” source as opposed to the so-called “vulgate” of Diodoros-Curtius-Justin as “bad” sources.

Many earlier Alexander historians (with a few important exceptions [Fritz Schachermeyr]) considered Arrian to be trustworthy, Plutarch moderately trustworthy if short, and the rest varying degrees of junk. W. W. Tarn was especially guilty of this. The prevalence of his view over Schachermeyr’s more negative one owed to his popularity/ease of reading, and the fact he wrote on Alexander for volume 6 of the first edition (1927) of the Cambridge Ancient History, later republished in two volumes with additions (largely in vol. 2) in 1948 and 1956. Thus, and despite being a lawyer (barrister) not a professional historian, his view dominated Alexander studies in the first half of the 20th century (Burn, Rose, etc.)…and even after. Both Mary Renault and Robin Lane Fox (neither of whom were/are professional historians either), as well as N. G. L. Hammond (with qualifications), show Tarn’s more romantic impact well into the middle of the second half of the 20th century. But you could find it in high school and college textbooks into the 1980s.

The first really big shift (especially in English) came with a pair of articles in 1958 by Ernst Badian: “The Eunuch Bagoas,” Classical Quarterly 8, and “Alexander the Great and the Unity of Mankind,” Historia 7. Both demolished Tarn’s historiography. I’ve talked about especially the first before, but it really WAS that monumental, and ushered in a more source-critical approach to Alexander studies. This also happened to coincide with a shift to a more negative portrait of the conqueror in work from the aforementioned Schachermeyr (reissuing his earlier biography in 1973 as Alexander der Grosse: Das Problem seiner Persönlichtenkeit und seines Wirkens) to Peter Green’s original Alexander of Macedon from Thames and Hudson in 1974, reissued in 1991 from Univ. of California-Berkeley. J. R. Hamilton’s 1973 Alexander the Great wasn’t as hostile, but A. B. Bosworth’s 1988 Conquest and Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great turned back towards a more negative, or at least ambivalent portrait, and his Alexander in the East: The Tragedy of Triumph (1996) was highly critical. I note the latter two as Bosworth wrote the section on Alexander for the much-revised Cambridge Ancient History vol. 6, 1994, which really demonstrates how the narrative on Alexander had changed.

All this led to an unfortunate kick-back among Alexander fans who wanted their hero Alexander. They clung/still cling to Arrian (and Plutarch) as “good,” and the rest as varying degrees of bad. Some prefer Tarn’s view of the mighty conqueror/World unifier/Brotherhood-of-Mankind proponent, including that He Absolutely Could Not Have Been Queer. Conversely, others are all over the romance of him and Hephaistion, or Bagoas (often owing to Renault or Renault-via-Oliver Stone), but still like the squeaky-nice-chivalrous Alexander of Plutarch and Arrian.

They are very much still around. Quite a few of the former group freaked out over the recent Netflix thing, trotting out Plutarch (and Arrian) to Prove He Wasn’t Queer, and dismissing anything in, say, Curtius or Diodoros as “junk” history. But I also run into it on the other side, with those who get really caught up in all the romance and can’t stand the idea of a vicious Alexander.

It's not necessary to agree with Badian’s (or Green’s or Schachermeyr’s) highly negative Alexander to recognize the importance of looking at all the sources more carefully. Justin is unusually problematic, but each of the other four had a method, and a rationale. And weaknesses. Yes, even Arrian. Arrian clearly trusted Ptolemy to a degree Curtius didn’t. For both of them, it centered on the fact he was a king. I’m going to go with Curtius on this one, frankly.

Alexander is one of the most malleable famous figures in history. He’s portrayed more ways than you can shake a stick at—positive, negative, in-between—and used for political and moral messaging from even before his death in Babylon right up to modern Tik-Tok vids.

He might have been annoyed that Julius Caesar is better known than he is, in the West, but hands-down, he’s better known worldwide thanks to the Alexander Romance in its many permutations. And he, more than Caesar, gets replicated in other semi-mythical heroes. (Arthur, anybody?)

Alfred Heuss referred to him as a wineskin (or bottle)—schlauch, in German—into which subsequent generations poured their own ideas. (“Alexander  der  Große  und  die politische Ideologie  des Altertums,” Antike und Abendland 4, 1954.) If that might be overstating it a bit, he’s not wrong.

Who Alexander was thus depends heavily on who was (and is) writing about him.

And that’s why nuanced historiography with regard to the Alexander sources is so important. It’s also why there will never be a pop presentation that doesn’t infuriate at least a portion of his fanbase. That fanbase can’t agree on who he was because the sources that tell them about him couldn’t agree either.

SECOND …scholarship has moved away from an attempt to find the “real” Alexander towards understanding the stories inside our surviving histories and their themes. A biography of Alexander is next to impossible (although it doesn’t stop most of us from trying, ha). It’s more like a “search” for Alexander, and any decent history of his career will begin with the sources. And their problems.

This also extends to events. I find myself falling in the middle between some of my colleagues who genuinely believe we can get back to “what happened,” and those who sorta throw up their hands and settle on “what story the sources are telling us, and why.” Classic Libra. 😉

As frustrating as it may sound, I’m afraid “it depends” is the order of the day, or of the instance, at least. Some things are easier to get back to than others, and we must be ready to acknowledge that even things reported in several sources may not have happened at all. Or at least, were quite radically different from how it was later reported. (Thinking of proskynesis here.) Sometimes our sources are simply irreconcilable…and we should let them be. (Thinking of the Battle of Granikos here.)

THIRD/SECOND-AND-A-HALF …a growing awareness of just how much Roman-era attitudes overlay and muddy our sources, even those writing in Greek. It would be SO nice to have just one Hellenistic-era history. I’d even take Kleitarchos! But I’d love Marsyas, or Ptolemy. Why? Both were Macedonians. Even our surviving philhellenic authors such as Plutarch impose Greek readings and morals on Macedonian society.

So, let’s add Roman views on top of Greek views on top of Macedonian realities in a period of extremely fast mutation (Philip and Alexander both). What a muddle! In fact, one of the real advantages of a source such as Curtius is that his sources seem to have known a thing or three about both Achaemenid Persia and also Macedonian custom. He sometimes says something like, “Macedonian custom was….” We don’t know if he’s right, but it’s not something we find much in other histories—even Arrian who used Ptolemy. (Curtius may also have used Ptolemy, btw.)

In any case, as a result of more care given to the themes of the historians, a growing sensitivity to Roman milieu for all of them has altered our perceptions of our sources.

These are, to me, the major and most significant shifts in Alexander historiography from the late 1800s to the early 2100s.

#asks #historiography #alexander the great #arrian #curtius #plutarch #diodorus #justin #w.w. tarn #fritz schachermeyr #a.b. bosworth #peter green #n.g.l. hammond #mary renault #robin lane fox #j.r. hamilton #ernst badian #classics #ancient history #ancient macedonia