The Susa Weddings

The Susa Weddings

A feature of his policy of fusion• Fusing the Macedonians & Persians intoone ruling race.• As with The Successors, the children ofthese marriages would:- Be trained in Macedonian customs &educated in Greek.- Have the added asset of mixed parentage.• Hamilton refers to the weddings as theclimax of Alexander’s policy of fusion.

The wedding• The ceremonies lastedfor five days.• They were held in a tent750m in circumference.• Entertainers came fromacross the Greek world.• Read Arrian’s account ofthe wedding (Pg 354).

Whom did they marry?• Read Arrian Pg 353 – 354 &note the interrelationshipscreated here.- The princesses whoAlexander married.- Hephastion’s newrelationship to Alexander.

Significance• The marriage to leading Persian womensignalled a transfer of power to theMacedonians.• It was an example of Alexander's policy offusion.• Alexander was now Great King of thePersian Empire – ruling in an oriental styleas the absolute monarch.

How successful was the Policy?• Few Macedonians agreed withAlexander’s policy of fusion.- Most quickly divorced their Persian wivesafter Alexander’s death.- This shows how unpopular the policyreally was to the Macedonians.