Death of ALEXANDER the GREAT ~ June 10, 323 B.C.E.

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Photo:wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/AlexanderCoin.jpg

Alexander the Great (Greek: λέξανδρος Μέγας or Μέγας λέξανδρος, Mégas Aléxandros; 356 BC – 323 BC, also known as Alexander III of Macedon (λέξανδρος Γ' Μακεδών) was an ancient Greek King (basileus) of Macedon (336–323 BC). He was one of the most successful military commanders of all time and is presumed undefeated in battle. By the time of his death, he had conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, adding it to Macedon's European territories; according to some modern writers, this was most of the world as known to the ancient Greeks.

Text:wikipedia.com

Some of my favorite novels: The Last of the Wine, Fire from Heaven, The Persian Boy, Funeral Games, are those of Alexander the Great by Mary Renault. The recent film by Oliver Stone was rather disappointing; but still worth seeing, I think. The triumphal entrance into Babylon was spectacular. Alexander, of course, died in Babylon.

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Today is also my friend Maria Belo's birthday. I remember how she dressed in a clown's outfit complete with makeup and helium balloons to surprise me at work for my birthday about twenty-seven years ago. She attended my 60th birthday party two years ago April. We're overdue for tea at the Ritz-Carlton!

And I can't forget: Judy Garland was born as Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922.