Was there ever any recorded mourning by Alexander the Great over his father Phillip's Assassination?

Question

I saw the movie Alexander the Great, and there was some brief tears on Alexander's part, over his father's death, but in real life was there anything ever written down about how much the Son loved his father and mourned his death, or was there just not enough time between the Assassination and Alexander taking over the reins of power for there to be any real grieving on his part?

Answer 1

There aren't any references from the Greek historians about Alexander's mourning or how much he loved his father.
Plutarch doesn't mention the funeral at all.
The real evidence we have is the Royal tomb of Philip in Greece ( in the city of Aigai(vergina) in real Macedonia in northern Greece). We can see from the evidence that great care was taken from Alexander for his father burial.
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Answer 2

Hard question because it is one of those things that no one really has the answer to. Plutarch does seem to hint that Alexander mourned his father's death in that he sought out and punished those responsible for his death. However, he also alludes that he thought Phillip was holding him back somewhat. Plutarch supposedly quotes Alexander saying something about when Phillip is finished there will be nothing left for him to conquer. I could be misquoting, it has been awhile since I read Plutarch. Regardless, there is a sense in the text that Alexander was conflicted about Phillip's death(the original love/hate relationship so to speak). Anyway, read Plutarch's "Lives of the Noble Greeks" and form your own opinion, don't trust a bunch of faceless and nameless folks on the internet.

Answer 3

There is a book called "Alexander" with a beige cover that is the most accurate biographical novel. It states that Alexander had only one day to mourn his father's death before he assumed the throne, due to Eurydice's (Phillip's second wife) son's impending birth and because there was a plot to end Alexander's life as well (the work of Eurydice's uncle).

This book also states that there were 3 other plots (all from the Trojans) to murder Phillip, which Alexander came across and stopped before they had a chance to succeed.

As for the author of the book, I am uncertain who wrote it, but I assure you that it does indeed exist.

Answer 4

Ah, you've touched an interesting point in Greek History. The histories of Alexander the great were written long after his death and they suggest that he actually had a part to play in his killing ,due to his lack of mourning. Alexander was driven to power, and some have seen this as a megalomaniac tendancy.

Answer 5

Please, Please, Please never use a Stone movie as a point of historical reference. Glad you asked the question, frightened that the movie, or any Oliver Stone product, is viewed as being even potentially accurate.