The Page’s Conspiracy Student: Chelsea Oswald, Ancient History & History
The Page’s Conspiracy has often been considered as inconsequential to the reign of
Alexander, and this is predominantly true because after the conspirators were put to death
it did not surface again as an issue for Alexander. This inconsequentiality has meant that the
conspiracy has frequently been overlooked or misinterpreted in scholarly debates. In the
past, the Page’s Conspiracy has been predominantly looked at as an extension of other
issues, such as the proskynesis debacle in Alexander’s court. This e ssay will provide a clear
overview of the main commentaries that have been made about the conspiracy, including
scholars such as Elizabeth Carney’s progressive and extensive thoughts on the hunting
aspect, as well as addressing theories about the Royal Youths and the trial. However, the
resounding argument that will be resonated throughout is that the Page’s Conspiracy is the
perfect embodiment of the instability and discontent that was transpiring in Alexander’s
court. To successfully demonstrate this, there will be a keen focus on the hunting expedition
and the extreme reaction of the Pages to confirm that Alexander’s court was unstable.
The main sources for the Page’s Conspiracy are Arrian, Curtius and Plutarch. It is
concurred that the Page Hermolaus rallied his fellow Pages against Alexander in a fit of rage
about being flogged for striking a boar before the king. 1 Their attempt against Alexander’s
life was ultimately futile and led to a trial where all conspiring Pages were condemned along
with Callisthenes. 2 The most significant dispute between the sources is the involvement of
Callisthenes. Arrian states that he was named by both Aristobulus and Ptolemy as a key
1 Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 4.13.1-2; Curtius, History of Alexander 8.6.7-9 2 Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 4.13.3-7; Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 4.14.1-3 & Curtius, History of Alexander 8.6.7-9
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