The strange occurrences when Julius Caesar and Augustus visited the tomb of Alexander

Alexander the Great, whose conquests stretched across three continents and who founded over twenty cities bearing his name, was buried in Alexandria as a culmination of a series of events and decisions that marked the end of his extraordinary life.

Upon his death in Babylon in 323 BC, a dispute arose among his generals regarding his final resting place.

Alexander's body, according to his wishes and the prevalent Macedonian tradition, was supposed to be laid to rest in Aegae, the ancient royal city of Macedonia.

However, Ptolemy, one of his trusted generals and later the ruler of Egypt, had other plans.

Ptolemy, recognizing the political significance of possessing the body of Alexander, intercepted the funeral cortege on its way to Macedonia and redirected it to Egypt.

The possession of Alexander’s body was not merely a matter of personal loyalty or grief; it was a powerful political symbol, a representation of legitimacy and authority.

Ptolemy understood that having Alexander buried in Egypt would strengthen his own rule and position him as a legitimate successor to Alexander’s empire.

Alexandria, founded by Alexander himself in 331 BC, was chosen as his final resting place.

The city, situated at the crossroads of Africa and Asia and boasting a magnificent harbor, was envisioned by Alexander as a center of culture, commerce, and learning.

It was here, in this city that bore his name and embodied his vision, that Alexander the Great was entombed. 

In 48 BC, Julius Caesar was embroiled in the throes of the Civil War against Pompey, had arrived in Alexandria, seeking both refuge and allies.

Pompey was captured and executed, while Caesar was invited into the Egyptian royal court.

Since he was in the city of Alexandria anyway, Caesar took the opportunity to see the face of the greatest conqueror in ancient history.

Standing before the sarcophagus, Caesar was said to have been deeply moved, paying his respects to the man who had conquered vast territories and whose exploits were the stuff of legend.

Ancient writers highlight the comparison that Caesar made with the Macedonian general, which motivated his own sense of grandeur.

Alexander’s achievements served as both an inspiration and a challenge, fueling Caesar’s ambitions to expand Roman territories and establish a lasting legacy.

He envisioned a Rome that would surpass the achievements of Alexander, a Rome that would stand as a beacon of civilization and power.

The encounter with Alexander’s tomb was a catalyst, driving Caesar to pursue military campaigns in Africa and Asia, seeking to emulate and even surpass the accomplishments of his illustrious predecessor.

Then, in the year 30 BC, Octavian, soon to be known as Augustus, also set foot in the city of Alexandria.

He had recently claimed victory in the Battle of Actium, which marked the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra and signalled the dawn of Roman dominion over Egypt.

Amidst the shifting sands of power, Augustus sought out the tomb of Alexander the Great, a pilgrimage that symbolized the transition of greatness from the Hellenistic world to the burgeoning Roman Empire.

Augustus’ visit to the tomb was imbued with reverence and reflection. Standing in the presence of Alexander’s sarcophagus, he was acutely aware of the weight of history and the mantle of leadership that he was poised to assume.

For Augustus, the encounter was a moment of contemplation on the nature of power, leadership, and the responsibilities that came with the stewardship of an empire.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius, during Augustus's visit to the tomb, he accidentally broke off the nose of Alexander's mummified corpse.

Augustus had reportedly wished to pay his respects by touching the body, but in doing so, he inadvertently caused damage to the ancient remains.

This incident, whether viewed as a genuine accident or a reflection of Augustus's own complex relationship with the legacy of Alexander, underscores the profound impact the Macedonian king had on subsequent rulers.

Augustus, like many leaders of his time and those who followed, grappled with the immense shadow cast by Alexander's achievements.

The act of visiting the tomb was not merely a personal pilgrimage but a political statement, a way to connect with the legacy of one of history's most revered conquerors.

Once a symbol of glory and a pilgrimage site for the powerful, the tomb has been lost to the sands of time, its location and condition remaining one of history's enduring puzzles.

The last recorded visits by notable historical figures were those of the Roman emperors, leaving the subsequent fate of the tomb obscured in the shadows of antiquity.

Over the centuries, the city of Alexandria, with its shifting landscapes and changing rulers, has undergone numerous transformations.

The tomb, once a beacon of Hellenistic achievement, faced desecrations, neglect, and possibly relocation.

Various accounts and theories have emerged, suggesting that the tomb may have been subject to vandalism, damage during conflicts, or concealed for protection.

The elusive nature of the tomb's whereabouts has fueled a myriad of explorations and research, each endeavor aiming to uncover the resting place of one of history’s most illustrious figures.

The disappearance of such a significant monument raises questions about the preservation of cultural heritage and the transient nature of human achievements.

The mystery surrounding the tomb adds another layer to Alexander’s legend, intertwining the allure of discovery with the reflections on impermanence and legacy.