CLASS DISCUSSION, FEBRUARY 29:
THE SOJOURN TO THE SIWAH OASIS, 331 BC

Tuesday's class will focus on the spring of the year 331, and in particular Alexander's sojourn to the Oasis in Siwah, Egypt. Read to p. 279 in Green and the appropriate primary sources in conjunction. One pair of students will lead the class discussion on the following topic for 15-20 minutes:

• The Oasis at Siwah
  Jill Mariani, Meredith Smith

Alexander's journey to the oracle of Zeus-Ammon in Siwah was and remains one of the most perplexing and fascinating aspects of Alexander's career. How did this event figure in the larger scheme that Alexander developed to cope with Greek and Persian customs and religion? More importantly, as with the other topics we have addressed so far, to what extent does this incident and the events surrounding it inform us about Alexander's long-range and specific planning for the invasion? How do the sources assess his journey to Siwah?