The Mutiny at Opis
The Mutiny at Opis
The Mutiny at Opis
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Mutiny</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Opis</strong>
Background to the mutiny<br />
• <strong>The</strong> Macedonians resented Alexander’s<br />
Orientalism & policy of fusion.<br />
• Read & note the aspects of Alexander’s<br />
policy of fusion th<strong>at</strong> angered the<br />
Macedonians – Arrian Pg 356 – 357.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Mutiny</strong><br />
• At <strong>Opis</strong> Alexander summoned & addressed an<br />
assembly of his Macedonian troops.<br />
Read Arrian Pg 359 – 360; Curtius Pg 242 – 243;<br />
& Fox Pg 424 – 425.<br />
- Wh<strong>at</strong> did he promise/tell them?<br />
- How did they react?<br />
- Why were the troops so concerned?<br />
Alexander’s view<br />
Macedonian troops’ view
Alexander’s reaction<br />
• Wh<strong>at</strong> did Alexander do in the face of open<br />
criticism & hostility from his troops?<br />
(Arrian Pg 360 & Fox Pg 425)<br />
• Summarise the main points in the reported speech<br />
Alexander gave to his troops.<br />
(Arrian Pg 360 – 364)<br />
• Read Arrian Pg 365 – 366 & fill in the chart below,<br />
describing wh<strong>at</strong> happened after the speech:<br />
Alexander’s actions<br />
Troops’ reactions
Alexander addresses his foreign<br />
soldiers<br />
• Curtius quotes an address Alexander gave<br />
to his foreign soldiers. In it he outlines his<br />
vision of their place in his empire.<br />
- Read Curtius Pg 244 – 245 & outline the<br />
points he makes to them.
Reconcili<strong>at</strong>ion - <strong>The</strong> Banquet<br />
• A gre<strong>at</strong> feast (9000 were present) was held<br />
to mark the end of differences and<br />
reconcili<strong>at</strong>ion of Persians & Macedonians,<br />
and Alexander & the Macedonians.<br />
• Read Arrian Pg 366 & Fox Pg 426:<br />
- Who <strong>at</strong>tended?<br />
- Wh<strong>at</strong> actions of reconcili<strong>at</strong>ion were taken?
Subsequent events<br />
• Read Arrian Pg 366 – 368 & Fox Pg 426 – 427.<br />
Fill in a chart like the one below with:<br />
a) Further details of the actions<br />
& b) Reasons for these actions<br />
Alexander’s actions<br />
Soldiers sent home.<br />
Reasons for the actions<br />
Half caste children<br />
remained.<br />
Antip<strong>at</strong>er would join<br />
Alexander.
Fox – An historian’s comment<br />
• Fox comments th<strong>at</strong> Alexander’s good<br />
leadership was crucial in ensuring a good<br />
outcome <strong>at</strong> <strong>Opis</strong>.<br />
• Read Fox Pg 427 & answer the following:<br />
- Wh<strong>at</strong> firm actions did he take?<br />
- Wh<strong>at</strong> dangers did he prevent?<br />
- Why does Fox describe the banquet as<br />
Alexander’s master-stroke?
Wh<strong>at</strong> does the event illustr<strong>at</strong>e?<br />
• It shows the causes of conflict between<br />
Alexander & his troops.<br />
• It highlights the extent & seriousness of<br />
the conflict.<br />
• It shows Alexander's determin<strong>at</strong>ion to<br />
practice the policy of fusion.