What if Diogenes the Cynic had joined Alexander the Great's court, and accompanied him in his conquest of Persia?
Diogenes the Cynic, founder the school of Cynics, believed in being crude, rude, poor and always extremely honest, at all times, and he spent his adult life living in a wooden bathtub, in Athens. This was his route to the perfect philosopher's life. Interestingly, Diogenes the Cynic was a contemporary of Alexander the Great, who could reasonably be said to exemplify precisely the opposite traits. Diogenes is perhaps most famous for carrying a lit lamp in daylight in Athens, and saying he was looking for an honest man. He is also famous for having been sought out by Alexander the Great, and when Alexander asked if there was anything he could do for him Diogenes replied "Yes, you're obstructing the sun, get out of my light!" Diogenes ridiculed Alexander in public, and to his face. But, Alexander had great admiration for philosophers, having had Aristotle himself as his youthful tutor. So, suppose Alexander actually invites Diogenes to join his court entourage and travel with him on his conquests in Persia? How exactly is that going to work out?
Well, first of all, given Diogenes' attitude, it seems extremely unlikely that Alexander would be masochistic enough to want to invite him to join his court entourage. Secondly, Diogenes, despite his attitude, was shrewd enough to live to the age of ninety, so, it seems unlikely that he would put himself into such a vulnerable and dangerous position. How dangerous was it to be closely involved with Alexander the Great? Well, Alexander murdered his former second in command, Parmenion, and his close friend Cleitus, who had saved his life. And, in particular, Alexander had murdered Callisthenes, philosopher and cousin of Alexander's tutor, Aristotle? Why? Well, because Callisthenes had publicly refused to grovel at Alexander's feet according to eastern custom, as Alexander adopted Eastern rituals in order to control his Eastern mercenaries and subjects.
So, what exactly happens, if Diogenes joins Alexander's court? Bear in mind, in order to maintain order in his Eastern Empire, Alexander was actually forced to adopt some Eastern customs of extreme respect to the Sovereign, which the Greeks found distasteful in the extreme. So, Diogenes' ridiculing presence may actually make it impossible for Alexander to govern his empire, and may lead to mutiny and to Alexander's own death. Of course, Alexander was well aware of this, so, he's unlikely to tolerate it. One way, or another, Diogenes, is likely to end up dead. Possibly Alexander, as well. Thoughts?
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