Story of Bucephalus
An early story shows Alexander’s unusual courage and sharp understanding.
This is the story of Bucephalus, the famous horse that later became his
favourite war horse. The animal was brought to Philip as a gift, but it seemed
so wild and dangerous that no one dared to ride it. While others dismissed the
horse as vicious, Alexander watched carefully and realized that it was not
truly savage. It was frightened, especially by its own shadow, and full of
spirit rather than bad temper.
When Philip ordered the horse to be sent away, Alexander begged for a
chance to try. He approached it calmly, spoke to it gently, and turned it so
that it would no longer see its shadow. Then he mounted it and, instead of
fighting against it, let it run freely until it had spent its fear and
excitement. Soon, he brought it back under perfect control. The court was
filled with amazement, and Philip praised him greatly, saying that Macedon was
too small a kingdom for such a son.
Alexander’s judgment proved correct. Bucephalus became faithful and
obedient, allowing only Alexander to ride him in battle. Later stories say that
the horse once saved Alexander’s life by carrying him out of danger even after
being badly wounded. When Bucephalus finally died, Alexander honoured him with
burial and founded a city named Bucephalia in his memory.
Yet alongside this courage and intelligence, Alexander also showed a fierce
and impulsive temper. His mother, Olympias, and his father, Philip, were
bitterly divided, and Philip eventually married another woman. During the
wedding celebrations, a guest named Attalus made remarks that Alexander took as
an insult to his mother and to his own birth. Enraged, Alexander threw his cup
at him, and Attalus threw one back. When Philip rushed forward in anger, he
stumbled and fell. Alexander mocked him sharply, then left the palace and went
away with his mother to Epirus. This scene revealed both his proud loyalty to
his mother and the fiery impatience that remained part of his nature.
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