In the accounts of Alexander's final days, It noted that he was drinking heavily and was given possibly bad medicine to cure a slight fever. It is said that he died of malaria, I have to ask was there any type of poison that caused malaria or possibly even flu-like symptoms in Alexander's time. I think that he may have been slipped the poison when he was drinking and the final dose was given with the so called medicine. Any thoughts?

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2003

Answers

loan rescheduling

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2003

He was indeed poisoned! More later...

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2003

There have been speculations about poison since ancient times, but they are just speculations. To my mind it is far more likely that the rumors of poisoning that arose after Alexander's death were a dirty propaganda 'whispering campaign' started by one of the rivals for Alexander's throne as part of the manuevering for power.

Armies are notoriously easy to start rumors in and the allegience of the Macedonian troops was clearly going to be the decisive factor in determining who became the most powerful man on the face of the earth. For those kind of stakes, people cheat. Planting a scurrilous rumor that promotes doubt, fear and anger toward a rival would be a cheap, effective tool for undermining their chances of success.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2003