The “Oath” of Alexander the Great
(OPIS, 324 BC)
“Now that the wars are coming to an end, I wish you all to prosper in peace.
From now on, may all mortals live as one people, in fellowship, for the good of all.
See the whole world as your homeland, with laws common to all, where the best
will govern regardless of their race.
Unlike the narrow-minded, I make no distinction between Greeks and Barbarians.
I am not interested in the origin of the citizens, or the race into which they were born.
I have only one criterion by which to distinguish them: their virtue.
For me, any good foreigner is a Greek and any bad Greek is worse than a Barbarian.
If disputes ever arise among you, do not resort to weapons, but solve them peacefully.
If needed, I will arbitrate between you.
See God, not as an autocratic despot, but as the common father of all so that your
conduct will be like the life of siblings of the same family.
I, on my part, see you all as equal, whether you are white or dark-skinned.
And I wish you all to be not only subjects of the Commonwealth, but members of it,
partners of it.
To the best of my ability, I will strive to do what I have promised.
Let us hold onto the oath we have taken tonight with our libations as a Contract of Love”.
Alexander the Great, 324 BC
(OPIS, 324 BC)
“Now that the wars are coming to an end, I wish you all to prosper in peace.
From now on, may all mortals live as one people, in fellowship, for the good of all.
See the whole world as your homeland, with laws common to all, where the best
will govern regardless of their race.
Unlike the narrow-minded, I make no distinction between Greeks and Barbarians.
I am not interested in the origin of the citizens, or the race into which they were born.
I have only one criterion by which to distinguish them: their virtue.
For me, any good foreigner is a Greek and any bad Greek is worse than a Barbarian.
If disputes ever arise among you, do not resort to weapons, but solve them peacefully.
If needed, I will arbitrate between you.
See God, not as an autocratic despot, but as the common father of all so that your
conduct will be like the life of siblings of the same family.
I, on my part, see you all as equal, whether you are white or dark-skinned.
And I wish you all to be not only subjects of the Commonwealth, but members of it,
partners of it.
To the best of my ability, I will strive to do what I have promised.
Let us hold onto the oath we have taken tonight with our libations as a Contract of Love”.
Alexander the Great, 324 BC