Alexander the Great

 The burning of Persepolis occurred in 330 BCE and featured Alexander the Great setting fire to the palace of Xerxes - the former King of Persia who invaded Greece in 480 BCE. Although there is no concrete evidence of why Alexander did this, there are two main accounts of what occurred at the burning of Persepolis and the reasoning behind doing so; Arrian’s account which is considered the official version, and Plutarch’s which is viewed as the vulgate’s version. Arrian wrote between 140 -150 CE and was considered the most distinguished author of the 2nd-century Roman Empire. In his account of the event, he states that the reason behind Alexander burning Persepolis is propaganda and punishment. Burning the palace would be used to “...punish the Persians for the sacrilege committed in Greece in 480 BCE.” Burning the palace could also be used to “...show that the campaign to punish the Persians was over.” and would’ve pleased the Greeks. However, there are minor details that contradict this reasoning; one, Persepolis now belonged to Alexander; two, he had already begun to incorporate his policy of fusion; and finally, if he wanted to burn Persepolis, why do it three months after arriving rather than straight away? This has led many to believe that the official version is a cover for what really happened which is believed to be detailed in the vulgate version. Plutarch’s vulgate version states that the fire came at the end of a drinking party, where a greek courtesan gave a speech, encouraging a drunken Alexander to set fire to the palace as revenge for the Persians burning Athens. He states, “...Alexander happened to join his Companions in a party, at which women were present…The most notable among them was Thais, an Athenian, the mistress of Ptolemy who later became King of Egypt. As the drinking progressed Thais was inspired to make a speech which was in part a graceful compliment to Alexander, in part merely playful raillery of him… On that day, she remarked, she was being repaid for all the hardships she had experienced on their travel through Asia, reveling in the luxury of a Persian palace, but it would be even better to end the party by setting fire to the palace of Xerxes who had burnt down Athens… Her speech was received with clapping and shouting and as his Companions eagerly pressed Alexnder to do as she suggested, he gave way to their urgings…” The Macedonians hoped that this showed that Alexander “... did not intend to settle among foreigners.” however, Plutarch later states that Alexander later changed his mind and “...gave orders for the fire to be extinguished.” This shows that Alexander may have not set fire to the palace intentionally, rather, he did so while in a drunken haze. However, we cannot be sure which account is true due to the fact that there are multiple accounts of what occurred. 

From this event, we can see what Alexander and his troops were like. Alexander, when drunk, was easily influenced. This isn't the only instance in which a drunk Alexander makes a rash decision. He killed Cleitus while drunk and - similar to the burning of Persepolis - something he later regrets doing. It also shows how, when he makes mistakes, he covers them up in the official record, making it seem as if what he did, he had done with purpose rather than on accident.  As well as showing what Alexander was like, it also shows how the Macedonian troops were vengeful over the treatment of Greece by the Persians and were easily influenced into action. Stating that Alexander's companion "eagerly" pressured Alexander into following through with the burning shows the troops willingness to punish those who had attacked Greece as well as their aggressive nature.