Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2008, Page 28
―[I]n a loud voice,‖ the Epicurean recounts an incident where Alexander had directed a
father to take his slaves before the governor because the man‘s son had gone missing while
returning from Alexandria. Alexander had told the man that the slaves had killed the boy.
Subsequently, the governor had the slaves ―cast to the beasts,‖ only to have the boy return
home, late but unharmed (having made an unexpected, but lengthy, unplanned journey). In
essence, Alexander‘s oracular interpretation of events cost the slaves their lives, and it was
completely, factually, wrong (Alex., 44).
Alexander responds as one might expect a malignant narcissist would, and even Lucian
picks up on the reason: ―Alexander was much annoyed by the exposure, and could not
stomach so well deserved an affront‖ (Alex., 45). In what now we might call narcissistic
rage, Alexander ―ordered the bystanders to stone him, or they themselves would be put
under a curse and be called Epicureans‖ (Alex., 45). The crowd turns on the man and would
kill him if it were not for the brave actions of a distinguished citizen who places his body
between the crowd and its target. Scorning the reaction of the infatuated crowd with
Alexander, Lucian adds, ―he was very nearly stoned to death, and quite right too! What
need had he to be the only sane man among such lunatics, and be on the receiving end of
Paphlagonian stupidity?‖ (Alex., 45).
Malignant narcissists sometimes kill in order to either ―protect and raise their self esteem‖
(Ronningstam 2005, 107) or ―restore their sense of undiminished power‖ (Malmquist 2005,
165), and Alexander appears to be been no different.
From various sections of Lucian‘s rendition, it is very clear that Alexander feeds off the
adulation and attention of crowds (Alex., 12, 14–15, 39). Certainly for him to see a crowd
turn against a critic is exhilarating, and gives him a sense of regaining control over the
public image that he presented.
The third attempted murder is very personal. Alexander knows of Lucian‘s opposition to
him. When, for example, Alexander‘s supporter and (soon to be) elderly son-in-law,
Rutilianus, asks Alexander about Lucian, the ‗prophet‘ responds with an oracle implying that
he is a sexual degenerate (Alex., 54). Then, when Lucian has a personal visit with
Alexander, Lucian refuses to call him by the title, ‗Prophet,‘ and insists upon using his name.
More dramatically, in the presence of the prophet‘s followers, Lucian bites Alexander‘s hand
rather than kiss it when Alexander offers it to him. Indeed, Lucian indicates that he gives
―him a hearty bite..., which very nearly crippled his hand‖ (Alex., 55).
Whatever physical pain Lucian caused Alexander, it likely is nothing compared to the affront
to Alexander‘s pride. At the time, however, Alexander‘s response to the affront is very
measured, calling off his assaulting entourage and then ostensibly trying to win over his
opponent. This initially measured reaction, however, subsequently festers into a murder plot
in a manner consistent with narcissistic rage. Current research on homicidal narcissists
indicates that ―narcissistic individuals may develop an indifferent or cool exterior as an initial
response to threats to their self esteem. However, when their composure gives way, it is
striking to see the intensity of their anger and need for revenge‖ (Malmquist 2005, 168).
While it is true that Lucian feigns friendship with Alexander in order to escape his presence,
his act likely has not fooled the ‗prophet,‘ since even ―the onlookers were quite astonished
at how easily my feelings had changed‖ [or at least appeared to (Alex., 55)].
Lucian is caught completely off guard by Alexander‘s murderous retaliation. After accepting
from Alexander a ship for his travels, Lucian is at sea when
I noticed the skipper in tears and arguing with the sailors, and I thought my
future prospects were not hopeful. They had had instructions from Alexander
to seize and fling us [i.e., Lucian and his traveling companion] into the sea,
which would have ended his war with me then and there. (Alex., 56)
―[I]n a loud voice,‖ the Epicurean recounts an incident where Alexander had directed a
father to take his slaves before the governor because the man‘s son had gone missing while
returning from Alexandria. Alexander had told the man that the slaves had killed the boy.
Subsequently, the governor had the slaves ―cast to the beasts,‖ only to have the boy return
home, late but unharmed (having made an unexpected, but lengthy, unplanned journey). In
essence, Alexander‘s oracular interpretation of events cost the slaves their lives, and it was
completely, factually, wrong (Alex., 44).
Alexander responds as one might expect a malignant narcissist would, and even Lucian
picks up on the reason: ―Alexander was much annoyed by the exposure, and could not
stomach so well deserved an affront‖ (Alex., 45). In what now we might call narcissistic
rage, Alexander ―ordered the bystanders to stone him, or they themselves would be put
under a curse and be called Epicureans‖ (Alex., 45). The crowd turns on the man and would
kill him if it were not for the brave actions of a distinguished citizen who places his body
between the crowd and its target. Scorning the reaction of the infatuated crowd with
Alexander, Lucian adds, ―he was very nearly stoned to death, and quite right too! What
need had he to be the only sane man among such lunatics, and be on the receiving end of
Paphlagonian stupidity?‖ (Alex., 45).
Malignant narcissists sometimes kill in order to either ―protect and raise their self esteem‖
(Ronningstam 2005, 107) or ―restore their sense of undiminished power‖ (Malmquist 2005,
165), and Alexander appears to be been no different.
From various sections of Lucian‘s rendition, it is very clear that Alexander feeds off the
adulation and attention of crowds (Alex., 12, 14–15, 39). Certainly for him to see a crowd
turn against a critic is exhilarating, and gives him a sense of regaining control over the
public image that he presented.
The third attempted murder is very personal. Alexander knows of Lucian‘s opposition to
him. When, for example, Alexander‘s supporter and (soon to be) elderly son-in-law,
Rutilianus, asks Alexander about Lucian, the ‗prophet‘ responds with an oracle implying that
he is a sexual degenerate (Alex., 54). Then, when Lucian has a personal visit with
Alexander, Lucian refuses to call him by the title, ‗Prophet,‘ and insists upon using his name.
More dramatically, in the presence of the prophet‘s followers, Lucian bites Alexander‘s hand
rather than kiss it when Alexander offers it to him. Indeed, Lucian indicates that he gives
―him a hearty bite..., which very nearly crippled his hand‖ (Alex., 55).
Whatever physical pain Lucian caused Alexander, it likely is nothing compared to the affront
to Alexander‘s pride. At the time, however, Alexander‘s response to the affront is very
measured, calling off his assaulting entourage and then ostensibly trying to win over his
opponent. This initially measured reaction, however, subsequently festers into a murder plot
in a manner consistent with narcissistic rage. Current research on homicidal narcissists
indicates that ―narcissistic individuals may develop an indifferent or cool exterior as an initial
response to threats to their self esteem. However, when their composure gives way, it is
striking to see the intensity of their anger and need for revenge‖ (Malmquist 2005, 168).
While it is true that Lucian feigns friendship with Alexander in order to escape his presence,
his act likely has not fooled the ‗prophet,‘ since even ―the onlookers were quite astonished
at how easily my feelings had changed‖ [or at least appeared to (Alex., 55)].
Lucian is caught completely off guard by Alexander‘s murderous retaliation. After accepting
from Alexander a ship for his travels, Lucian is at sea when
I noticed the skipper in tears and arguing with the sailors, and I thought my
future prospects were not hopeful. They had had instructions from Alexander
to seize and fling us [i.e., Lucian and his traveling companion] into the sea,
which would have ended his war with me then and there. (Alex., 56)
