Alexander's Royal Captives
The armies missed each other in mountain passes. Alexander turned back and met the Persians at Issus. Darius fled; his mother Sisygambis, wife, and family were captured. Alexander visited them with Hephaestion. Sisygambis mistook the taller Hephaestion for the king and knelt before him. Embarrassed, she apologized. Alexander said of his friend, "He is my other self." He treated the Persian ladies kindly. Finding them idle, he offered to teach them spinning and weaving like Greek ladies. Sisygambis wept—in Persia, labor was a slave's disgrace. Alexander apologized and never mentioned work again. Sisygambis grew to love him as her own son.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Notes the battle was at Issus
Cause & Consequence
Explains why Sisygambis wept: Persians saw labor as disgrace
Significance
Recognizes Alexander's respect for captives
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