The legend of Alexander the Great’s favorite
steed, Bucephalus, begins when Philonicus the
Thessalian brought the horse to Philip II, King of
Macedonia and father of Alexander, offering to
sell him for thirteen talents. However, when they
went into the field to ride him, they found him
very vicious and unmanageable. He reared up
when they attempted to mount him and would
not listen to the commands of any of Philip's
attendants. As they were leading him away as
wholly useless and intractable, Alexander, who
stood by watching, said, "What an excellent
horse do they lose for want of address and
boldness to manage him!" Philip at first took no
notice of what he said; but when he heard him
repeat the same thing several times, and saw he
was much vexed to see the horse sent away, he
responded: "Do you reproach those who are
older than yourself, as if you knew more, and
were better able to manage him than they?" "I
could manage this horse," Alexander replied,
"better than others do." "And if you do not," said
Philip, "what will you forfeit for your rashness?" "I
will pay," answered Alexander, "the whole price
of the horse." At this the whole company burst
into laughter; yet as soon as the wager was
settled amongst them, he immediately ran to the
horse, took hold of the bridle, and turned him
directly towards the sun. Alexander, it seems,
observed that Bucephalus was disturbed by the
motion of his own shadow. Then letting him go
forward a little, still keeping the reins in his
hands, stroking him gently when he found him
begin to grow eager and fiery, and with one
nimble leap he securely mounted him. When he
was seated, Alexander drew in the bridle, and
curbed him without either striking or spurring
him. Eventually, he let Bucephalus run at full
speed, inciting him now with a commanding
voice, and urging him also with his heel. Philip
and his friends looked on in silence, anxious of
the result, until they saw him come back and
began to rejoice in triumph. His father, King
Philip, in tears of joy, kissed him as he came
down from his horse, and stated the prophetic
phrase, "O my son, look thee out a kingdom
equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is
too little for thee." This marked the beginning of
Alexander and Bucephalus’ relationship, an
alliance that would lead them to the edges of the
known world. Eventually, Bucephalus died in
326 B.C. after the battle on the Hydaspes River.
Alexander founded the city Bucephala there in
his honor.
This beautiful bronze sculpture embodies the
strength, the power, and the regality of the steed
Bucephalus. Perhaps no other horse in history is
quite so legendary; after all, how many stallions
have their life stories chronicled by the likes of
Plutarch? The sculptor has captured the energy
and force of this mythic horse as he leaps
forward into the air, his tail waving in the
breeze. The attributes of the Nimean lion skin
cape tied around his body and the small horn
protruding from his head both positively confirm
the identification as Bucephalus. What a proud
and majestic creature! The sculptor has
imbedded him with tremendous character and
individual charm. The intricate details and
molding of his facial features are generally
reserved for human portrayals. The sensitivity of
his eyes, the individual hairs of his mane, and
the texture of the lion skin all reveal this to be
the work of a master. It is appropriate that such
a marvelous figure as Bucephalus be treated by
such an expert sculpture. This extraordinary
masterpiece is a true rarity: when subject and
portrayal are both equally legendary and
timeless.
- (FZ.391)
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