De la condamnation à l’acceptation des infractions d’Alexandre

Abstract

This paper tends to explain how and why Arrian condemns some of Alexander’s transgressions before approving them in the final description of the conqueror. At first, the historian depicts a traditional concept of transgression, which links the crossing of geographical boundaries to the adoption of barbarian habits and hubris. But afterwards he highlights the differences between these transgressions by making it possible to get back into a reasonable behaviour and by differentiating true transgression from apparent transgression. Thus, he establishes different kinds of violations. This analysis enables him to overcome the traditional opposition between transgression and the established order: geographic barriers can finally be crossed in order to preserve justice, and paradoxically, the ostentatious violation of Greek habits and the apparent arrogance can help the ruler fight against disorder.

Keywords

• Arrian
• Alexander
• hubris
• boundary
• norm
• commonplace