Bucephalus
Young Alexander tames Bucephalus. Drawing by André Castaigne.
Bucephalus or Bucephalus(Greek Βουκεφάλας , lit. "bullhead"; lat. Bucephalus) - the nickname of Alexander the Great's favorite horse.
Tradition
Alexander took Bucephalus on a campaign to Asia, but took care of his favorite and used other horses in battle. In the battle on the Granik River, one of them was killed under him.
« At the place where the battle took place, and at the place from which Alexander crossed the Hydaspes, he founded two cities; one called it Nicaea, because he defeated the Indians here, and the other Bucephalus, in memory of his horse Bucephalus, who died here not from anyone’s arrow, but broken by the heat and years (he was about 30 years old). He shared many labors and dangers with Alexander; only Alexander could sit on it, because he didn’t care about all the other riders; He was tall and of noble character. Its distinctive feature was its head, similar in shape to that of a bull; from her, they say, he got his name. Others say that he was black in color, but on his forehead there was a white spot, very reminiscent of the head of a bull.»
Plutarch reports a compromise that Bucephalus died from his wounds after the battle with Porus. According to Arrian and Plutarch, Bucephalus was the same age as Alexander; then his death occurred at a very advanced age for horses.
The city of Bucephalus, founded by Alexander and named after his horse, exists in our time under the name Jalalpur in Pakistan. It also preserves ruins from ancient times.
Many researchers believe that Bucephalus was a representative of the Akhal-Teke horse breed.
In Tajikistan there is Lake Iskanderkul (Alexander’s name in Persian pronunciation sounds like Iskander), named in honor of Alexander, in which, according to ancient legend, his beloved horse drowned.
Notes
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Synonyms:See what "Bucephalus" is in other dictionaries:
- (Greek bukephalos, from bus bull, and kephale head). 1) the famous indomitable horse of Alexander the Great, which he alone could ride. 2) in general, any frisky, lively horse. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language.... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
Cm … Synonym dictionary
Bucephalus- a, m. bucéphale lat., gr. On behalf of the horse of Alexander the Great. Poppy. 1908. Ceremonial horse. Poppy. 1908. We both had to parade on horseback, he Levashov and I equally cowardly sat on our horses. Fear brings ranks together, and... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language
The name of Alexander the Great's horse (literal translation: "Bull's Head"). As the ancient Greek historian Plutarch reports (“Comparative Lives”), only this great commander could tame his horse. Used: in the phrase “faithful... ... Dictionary of popular words and expressions
BUCEPHALUS, bucephala, male. (joking). Horse. (After the name of the legendary wild horse bridled by Alexander the Great.) Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
- (Bucephalus, Βουχέφαλος). Alexander V.’s favorite horse, which he alone could tame and who always knelt when he was brought to his master. He fell in India after being Alexander's companion on all his campaigns. At that… … Encyclopedia of Mythology
BUCEPHALUS- war horse of A. Macedonian. Drev, the authors say that B. came from a barbarian priest and a Thessalian kly. He was tall and golden-red. Lived for 25 years. According to legend recorded by Marco Polo, B. is one of the ancestors of the Akhalte... Horse breeding guide
- (foreign) horse Wed. Fire! and... one young man was hit in the floor of his horse, and he, together with Bucephalus, spun in the air with his mill. Marlinsky. Letters from Dagestan. 2. Wed. He (Carla) rode on his bucephalus both to the guest house and to the post office. Horse dog... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary
Bucephalus (foreign) horse. Wed. Fire! and... one young man hit the floor of his horse, and he, together with his bucephalus, spun like a mill in the air. Marlinsky. Letters from Dagestan. 2. Wed. He (Carla) rode on his bucephalus to the Gostiny Dvor, and... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)
- (in Greek, bull's head, the name of the Thessalian horses, which were used to burn a brand in the form of a bull's head) the name of the favorite Thessalian horse of Alexander the Great. According to legend, he curbed him in his early youth, and then, as if, his father said... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron
Books
- Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Service. Start. Bucephalus. Lapshin. Zhmakin, German Yuri Pavlovich. The story “Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Service” by Yuri German (1910-1967) was written in the post-war years and is dedicated to loyalty to one’s work and the spiritual formation of a person. Selfless doctor...
Only the baby does not know who owned the glorious name. Today it is believed that the animal, called Bucephalus, is simply obliged to bring good luck. It is known that the horse of Alexander the Great is a creature that stands on a par with historical figures. There are many legends, memories, chronicles and other materials associated with it that prove or disprove its existence. We will try to find out what the horse was, where it came from, and how we treated it.
Taming of the Shrew
Everyone knows the name of the horse, but no one has information about how the king got it. And history itself does not know this. But there are several legends regarding the origin of the animal. According to one of them, Bucephalus was acquired by Alexander's father. He bought it from a merchant for 13 talents. King Philip doubted for a long time whether he needed such a purchase. After all, for the money that had to be paid for a horse, it was possible to support a company of soldiers of one and a half thousand people. In addition, the animal had a capricious temper. But the future king of Macedonia decided to tame the horse, and for this the merchant would reduce the cost of the stallion. Bucephalus was afraid of shadows, Alexander, noticing this, showed ingenuity and directed him towards the sun.
At first everything went calmly, the young man watched the horse, pacifying it a little. He released Bucephalus only when he realized that he did not pose any threat. King Philip silently watched everything that was happening. But when Alexander, without hiding his glee, rode up to him on a horse, he could not hold back his tears. It was at this moment that Philip uttered words that sounded like a prophecy. Today no one can quote them, but the meaning of the phrase can be conveyed: Macedonia is small for Alexander, he must find a kingdom that suits his character.
Then the future Macedonian ruler was only 12 years old. And Bucephalus, the horse of Alexander the Great, was even younger. By the standards accepted for animals, the horse did not have great parameters. Her height at the withers reached 136-146 centimeters. But with all this, she received a nickname, which translates as “bull-headed” or “bull-headed”.
Horse with a peacock tail
Another legend describes the appearance and origin of the horse very beautifully and touchingly. It is believed that Alexander the Great's favorite horse had an ivory horn and an emerald peacock tail. It was presented to Alexander for his birthday by the Egyptian queen. Until Bucephalus fell into the hands of his owner, he was unbroken. No one could tame the wild animal; it was unusually large and felt how people were afraid of it. That is why no one could curb him. But Alexander was known as a brave young man who did not give in to any fears. When he matured and was able to make people fear himself, he ordered the horse to be brought to him.
Bucephalus, at the sight of his master, showed humility: he poked his horn into the ground and began to wait for the king’s orders. Macedonsky appreciated the act and named the horse the name that is known to this day.
Origin of the name of the great horse
Let's figure out what the name of Alexander the Great's horse was and what justified the choice of this particular nickname. Bucephalus is an ancient Greek name that means “bull-headed.” There are several versions of why the animal received such a nickname. Some historians claim that the horse had a large, massive head that resembled the head of a bull. Other scientists talk about the existence of a white spot on the forehead, imitating the same bull’s head. According to the text of the third legend, Bucephalus was marked with a mark in the form of a bull, since he grew up on the plains of Thessaly, and in those days all animals raised near the city of Pharsala were marked with just such a mark.
Bucephalus at war
Many secrets surround the history of what the name of Alexander the Great's horse was, where it came from and how it fell into the hands of its owner. But it is reliably known that he was his master’s favorite and took part in most of the military actions carried out by the conqueror. He was his friend, support and protector.
Alexander adored his four-legged friend so much that he protected him from enemies and death. So, one day the Macedonian, going on a campaign to Asia, took Bucephalus with him. But so that he would not get hurt, he kept him on a leash, and during the battles he used other animals. In one of the battles, one of the horses was killed. This time Alexander the Great saved his comrade.
One day, however, the commander did not take care of the horse, and he was kidnapped. This happened in Persia. The Uxii, local barbarians, stole Bucephalus. Upon learning of this, Alexander threatened to wipe out the entire Uksi people from the face of the Earth if the horse was not returned. Fearing death, the thieves gave up the stolen goods, and Makedonsky himself, out of joy for the successful outcome of this event, paid a ransom to the thieves.
Death of Bucephalus
The death of the great horse is no less legendary than his life and adventures. We found out what the name of Alexander the Great’s horse was, all that remains is to find out how he left this world. There is information that Bucephalus died during the battle with the king of India, Porus. And other sources report the natural death of the animal in old age. This also happened in India. And at the place of his resting place, Alexander ordered the construction of a city of the same name.
Alexander took Bucephalus on a campaign to Asia, but took care of his favorite and used other horses in battle. In the battle on the Granik River, one of them was killed under him.
Some authors report that Bucephalus died in a battle with the Indian king Porus in 326 BC. e. , however, Arrian writes about this differently:
« At the place where the battle took place, and at the place from which Alexander crossed the Hydaspes, he founded two cities; one called it Nicaea, because he defeated the Indians here, and the other Bucephalus, in memory of his horse Bucephalus, who died here not from anyone’s arrow, but broken by the heat and years (he was about 30 years old). He shared many labors and dangers with Alexander; only Alexander could sit on it, because he didn’t care about all the other riders; He was tall and of noble character. Its distinctive feature was its head, similar in shape to that of a bull; From her, they say, he got his name. Others say that he was black in color, but on his forehead there was a white spot, very reminiscent of the head of a bull.»
Plutarch reports a compromise that Bucephalus died from his wounds after the battle with Porus.
According to Arrian and Plutarch, Bucephalus was the same age as Alexander; then his death occurred at a very advanced age for horses.
Appearance
Bucephalus had a distinctive feature - the horse's legs were equipped with rudiments of fingers on the sides of the horn-covered middle finger, which, in fact, forms the hoof.
In Western European art, Bucephalus is sometimes depicted in several scenes (for example, in the iconography of The Taming of Bucephalus) as a white war horse.
Memory
The city of Bucephalus, founded by Alexander and named after his horse, exists in our time under the name Jalalpur in Pakistan. It also preserves ruins from ancient times.
In Tajikistan there is Lake Iskanderkul (Alexander’s name in Persian pronunciation sounds like Iskander (Persian اسکندر)), named after Alexander, in which, according to ancient legend, his beloved horse drowned.
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Notes
Excerpt characterizing Bucephalus
– Please come inside! – the little girl whispered.Somehow squeezing past him into the doorway, I entered... There was a suffocating smell of alcohol and something else in the apartment that I could not identify.
Once upon a time, this apparently was a very pleasant and cozy apartment, one of those that we called happy. But now it was a real “nightmare”, from which its owner, apparently, was not able to get out on his own...
Some broken pieces of porcelain lay on the floor, mixed with torn photographs, clothes, and God knows what else. The windows were covered with curtains, making the apartment dark. Of course, such “being” could only truly inspire mortal melancholy, sometimes accompanied by suicide...
Apparently Christina had similar thoughts, because she suddenly asked me for the first time:
– Please do something!
I immediately answered her: “Of course!” And I thought to myself: “If only I knew what!!!”... But I had to act, and I decided that I would try until I achieve something - or he will finally hear me, or (in the worst case) he will be thrown out the door again.
- So are you going to talk or not? – I asked deliberately angrily. “I don’t have time for you, and I’m here only because this wonderful little man is with me - your daughter!”
The man suddenly plopped down in a nearby chair and, clasping his head in his hands, began to sob... This went on for quite a long time, and it was clear that he, like most men, did not know how to cry at all. His tears were stingy and heavy, and they apparently were very, very difficult for him. It was only then that I truly understood for the first time what the expression “man’s tears” means...
I sat down on the edge of some bedside table and watched in confusion this stream of other people’s tears, having absolutely no idea what to do next?..
- Mom, mommy, why are such monsters walking here? – a frightened voice asked quietly.
And only then did I notice very strange creatures that were literally “in heaps” hovering around the drunken Arthur...
My hair started to move - these were real “monsters” from children’s fairy tales, only here for some reason they even seemed very, very real... They looked like evil spirits released from a jug, which somehow managed to “attach” directly to the poor man’s breasts, and, hanging on him in clusters, with great pleasure “devoured” his almost exhausted vitality...
I felt that Vesta was scared to the point of a puppy squeal, but she was trying her best not to show it. The poor thing watched in horror as these terrible “monsters” happily and mercilessly “ate” her beloved dad right in front of her eyes... I couldn’t figure out what to do, but I knew that I had to act quickly. Having quickly looked around and not finding anything better, I grabbed a pile of dirty plates and threw them onto the floor with all my might... Arthur jumped in his chair in surprise and stared at me with crazy eyes.
- There’s no point in getting soggy! – I shouted, “look what “friends” you brought into your house!
I wasn’t sure whether he would see the same thing that we saw, but this was my only hope to somehow “come to his senses” and thus make him sober up at least a little.
By the way his eyes suddenly went up to his forehead, it turned out that he saw... In horror, he flinched into the corner, he could not take his eyes off his “cute” guests and, unable to utter a word, he only pointed at them with a trembling hand. He was shaking slightly, and I realized that if nothing was done, the poor man would have a real nervous attack.
I tried to mentally turn to these strange monstrous creatures, but nothing useful came of it; they only “growled” ominously, swatting me away with their clawed paws, and without turning around, they sent a very painful energy blow straight into my chest. And then, one of them “came unstuck” from Arthur and, having his eye on what he thought was the easiest prey, jumped straight at Vesta... The girl screamed wildly in surprise, but - we must pay tribute to her courage - she immediately began to fight back, which was strength Both of them, he and she, were the same incorporeal entities, so they “understood” each other perfectly and could freely inflict energy blows on each other. And you should have seen with what passion this fearless little girl rushed into battle!.. From the poor cowering “monster” only sparks rained down from her stormy blows, and we, the three of us watching, to our shame, were so dumbfounded that we did not immediately react, so that although I wish I could help her somehow. And just at the same moment, Vesta began to look like a completely squeezed out golden lump and, becoming completely transparent, disappeared somewhere. I realized that she had given all her childhood strength, trying to defend herself, and now she didn’t have enough of it to simply maintain contact with us... Christina looked around in confusion - apparently her daughter did not have the habit of simply disappearing, leaving her alone. I also looked around and then... I saw the most shocked face that I had ever seen in my life, both then and all the subsequent many years... Arthur stood in real shock and looked straight at his wife!.. Apparently too much alcohol , enormous stress, and all subsequent emotions, for a moment opened the “door” between our different worlds and he saw his deceased Christina, as beautiful and as “real” as he had always known her... No words would have been possible describe the expressions in their eyes!.. They did not speak, although, as I understood, Arthur most likely could hear her. I think at that moment he simply could not speak, but in his eyes there was everything - and the wild pain that had been choking him for so long; and boundless happiness that stunned him with its surprise; and prayer, and so much more that there would be no words to try to tell it all!..
Bucephalus - favorite horse of Alexander the Great-
famous, perhaps, no less than its owner.
According to ancient authors, Bucephalus was descended from a barbarian stallion and a Thessalian mare. It was a tall animal, golden-red in color. Alexander's father Philip II acquired it in 343 BC. e., during the Olympic Games in Dion, for 13 talents (this is approximately 340 kilograms of silver).
The horse turned out to have a wild disposition and would not let anyone near him. Alexander, who was only 12 years old at the time, guessed that Bucephalus was simply afraid of shadows, turned his horse’s muzzle towards the sun and jumped on his back. From that day on they became inseparable.
There is another, legendary version of this story. According to her, Bucephalus was not actually a horse, but a unicorn with an emerald peacock tail. Alexander received it as a gift from the queen of Egypt. The strange beast felt the fear of people approaching it and thanks to this it was invincible. Only Alexander was free from the fear inherent in mortals. When the horse was brought to him, the animal bowed its head and poked its horn into the ground as a sign of submission. Out of respect for his power, Alexander gave him the name Bucephalus, that is, “bull-headed.”
They also said that Alexander once looked at his portrait in Ephesus, painted by the famous artist Apelles, and was dissatisfied with the work. Then by chance they brought Bucephalus to the portrait, who, with his neighing, greeted the owner depicted in the picture as if he were alive. Apelles exclaimed sarcastically: “Lord, the horse turned out to be a better connoisseur of art than you.”
For more than 20 years, the faithful Bucephalus carried the hero across the vast expanses of Asia. And after the death of the horse, Alexander founded the city and named it after his battle friend. It is the only city in the world named after a horse (modern Jalalpur in Pakistan).
Caucasian legends say that Bucephalus is the ancestor of the famous Akhal-Teke horse breed.
Bucephalus or (Greek Βουκεφάλας, lit. “bull-headed”; lat. Bucephalus) - ca. 355 - 326 BC e. - favorite horse of Alexander the Great. His nickname is commonly interpreted in different ways. According to one source, it was a massive, tall (approx. 140 cm) horse for its time with a bull-like head. According to others, he was black with a single white spot on his forehead, which closely resembled the head of a bull. According to another legend, he got his name for the bone growths on his head that looked like horns. Researchers also often note that he had a “magpie eye.” According to some sources, he had two underdeveloped toes on his front legs, like the distant ancestor of Meriguppus horses.
Ancient authors say that he was descended from a Barbary stallion and a Thessalian mare. He lived for 25 years (according to other sources, 30 years). According to legend, recorded by the famous traveler Marco Polo during his trip to Badakhshan, he belonged to the breed of Nysian horses (Nisa, the capital of Parthia), a distinctive feature of which were bone growths above the eyes. Polo also claimed to be the ancestor of the best horses in Asia.
The story goes that this horse was offered to the Macedonian king Philip II by a merchant from Thessaly, Philonicus, for 13 talents (approximately 340 kg of silver), which was a huge sum in those days. Since no one could curb the obstinate animal, the king refused to buy, but Alexander promised to pay for the stallion if he could not tame it. Alexander the Great, at the age of 10 (according to Plutarch), became the only person to whom a wayward 11-year-old horse submitted.
Plutarch spoke about the taming as follows:
“Alexander immediately ran up to the horse, grabbed it by the bridle and turned its muzzle towards the sun: apparently, he noticed that the horse was frightened, seeing a wavering shadow in front of it. Alexander ran next to the horse for some time, stroking it with his hand. Making sure that he had calmed down and was breathing deeply, Alexander threw off his cloak and jumped onto his horse with a light jump. At first, slightly pulling on the reins, he held back without striking him or tugging at the reins. When Alexander saw that the horse’s temper was no longer in danger of any trouble and that Bucephalus was rushing forward, he gave him free rein and even began to urge him on with loud exclamations and kicks. Philip and his retinue were silent, overcome with anxiety, but when Alexander, having turned his horse according to all the rules, returned to them, proud and jubilant, everyone burst into loud shouts. The father, as they say, even shed tears of joy, kissed Alexander as he dismounted from his horse and said: “Seek, my son, a kingdom for yourself, for Macedonia is too small for you!”
Alexander took him on a campaign to Asia, but took care of his favorite and used other horses in battle. In the battle on the Granik River, one of them was killed under him.
Arrian, Curtius and Plutarch tell a story that happened somewhere in the Caspian region of Persia. The local barbarians, the Uxii, stole the horse. Then Alexander ordered that it be returned to him immediately, otherwise he would destroy the entire people. The king’s favorite horse was returned safe and sound, and Alexander, to celebrate, even paid a ransom to the kidnappers.
Once the king, looking at his portrait painted by Apsles in Ephesus, did not give due praise to the artist’s skill. By chance they brought me to the portrait. He, as if alive, greeted the owner depicted in the picture with his neighing. Amazed Apslles exclaimed, “Lord, the horse turned out to be a better connoisseur of art than you.”
Many authors report that he died in a battle with the Indian king Porus in 326 BC. e., Plutarch conveys a compromise that he died from wounds after the battle with Porus. According to Arrian, he was the same age as Alexander; then his death occurred at a very advanced age for horses.
The city, founded by Alexander and named after his horse, exists today under the name Jalalpur in Pakistan. It also preserves ruins from ancient times.
In Tajikistan there is Lake Iskanderkul (Alexandra’s name in Persian pronunciation sounds like Iskander), in which, according to legend, a horse drowned.
