Alexander the Great 6
"Wild Horses": Bucephalos
by CTCWeb Editors
"...We'll Ride Them Someday" - Rolling Stones
Among his other emerging talents as a young man, Alexander demonstrated a considerable aptitude for horsemanship. Philoneicus, a horse-trader, brought a horse to Macedonia to sell to Philip II. The horse behaved wildly, allowing no one near him. Philip berated Philoneicus for bringing such an unruly animal to his court. Struck by the horse’s power and beauty, Alexander openly challenged his father and wagered that he could tame the difficult horse.
Philip offered to buy the horse for the boy if Alexander could indeed ride the animal. Philip upped the ante, by adding the provision that Alexander would have to pay Philoneicus an enormous sum if he failed to ride the wild beast. Through skillful handling, Alexander quieted the animal. Then the horse let Alexander onto his back. Together horse and rider demonstrated Alexander’s equestrian skill to everyone at the public court. Alexander named the horse Bucephalos (Oxhead) and this great steed became Alexander’s warhorse. Following Bucephalos’ death in India, Alexander founded a city that he named “Bucephala” in memory of the great animal.
