The Purchase of Bucephelus
Alexander's War Horse and Charger
The Purchase of Bucephelus
Philonicus, a Tessalian, brought a dark stallion, thought to be black in colour, to King Philip of Macedonia. The best breeding stock of the time came from the rich pastures of Thessaly. The horses were renowned for their stamina, endurance and longevity. All of which were qualities required by the King for his horses.
Although the age of the stallion Philonicus was trying to trade is unknown, it could have been as old as 12. Middle aged by today's standards, it was quite common to sell horses of that age in Macedonia, once they had proven themselves as hardy and as good breeding stock.
Philip and his young son, Alexander (356 -323 BC) watched the horse for a while. The asking price was high, between 13 and 16 talents, depending on which version of the story was being told, especially high for an animal that appeared to be unmanageable.
Philip ordered his attendants to mount the horse but it was impossible. What was the point in buying a horse no one could ride? The King was about to turn Philonicus away, when his son called out to him. Alexander wasn't going to give up quite so easily. He challenged his father to let him try and ride the horse, pledging to pay for it himself if he failed!
Taming of Bucephelus
Much to the amusement of his father and the surrounding courtiers, Alexander approached the horse. While watching the animal he had noticed that the stallion appeared to be frightened of his own shadow. Slowly he turned the horse until he was facing the sun and his shadow was behind him. Today the boy might be called a horse whisperer, his actions could be described as such but no one had heard of the term in Macedonia. Constantly he gently caressed the frightened creature, quietly talking to him before attempting to mount.
As soon as the horse felt the weight of Alexander on his back his body stiffened but he stood alert, listening to the boy as he continued to talk and to caress him.
Alexander was an excellent rider and gently pushed the horse through his paces, eventually bringing the exhausted stallion to a halt in front of his father.
Embracing his son, Philip said 'Look thee out a Kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, Macedon is too little for thee.'
Thrilled that the horse was now his, Alexander named the stallion Bucephelus, which means ox-head. Although this may refer to the appearance of the horse, there is some thought that it might refer to a white mark on his forehead which is believed to resemble the shape of an ox's head.
Alexander, Military Genius
Alexander was just 16 years old when he took command of the Macedonian army and, on the back of Bucephelus, led them into battle just a year later. He succeeded his father to the throne at the young age of 20, and went on to become one of the legendary military leaders of all time.
Bucephelus died at the age of 30, from wounds inflicted during the Battle of Hydaspes, June 326 BC, in which Alexander defeated King Porus.
Alexander founded a city, Bucephala, where the horse fell to honour his beloved steed. The city is believed to have been built on the west bank of the Hydaspes river, where modern day Jalalpur Sharif outside Jhelum stands today.
Sources:
· In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great by Michael Wood
· Encyclopaedia Britannica
· Alexander the Great in Fact and Fiction by A.B. Bosworth
· Alexander the Great.co.uk
· Faq Macedonia.org/history
Alexander and Bucephelus
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