Roxana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roxana |
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|---|---|
| Born | Bactria |
| Died | 310 BC Amphipolis, Macedon, Ancient Greece |
| Spouse | Alexander the Great |
| Issue | Alexander IV |
| Father | Oxyartes |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Roxana (died 310 BC) was a princess from Bactria or Sogdia. Her name means "shining" or "radiant." She is also known as Roxanne or Roxane. She became the wife of Alexander the Great. This happened after Alexander defeated Darius III, the ruler of the Achaemenid Empire. Roxana was likely in her early teens when she married Alexander.
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Roxana's Early Life and Family
Roxana was the daughter of a nobleman named Oxyartes. Her father was from Bactria. He served Bessus, who was a governor of Bactria and Sogdia. Oxyartes and his family resisted Alexander the Great's army. They took shelter in a strong fortress. This fortress was known as the Sogdian Rock.
How Roxana Met Alexander
Alexander the Great eventually defeated the defenders of the Sogdian Rock. He then attended a celebration. It is said that Alexander fell in love with Roxana right away. This meeting happened around 327 BC.
Their marriage was a big event. It followed the Macedonian tradition. Many people believe Alexander truly loved her. However, this marriage also helped Alexander. It made the people of Sogdiana more loyal to him. This was important for his control over the region.
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Roxana as Alexander's Wife
Some of Alexander's friends did not want him to marry Roxana. They preferred a Macedonian or Greek queen. But Alexander went ahead with the marriage. It helped him gain support from the Sogdian army.
Roxana traveled with Alexander on his journey to India. While there, her first child was born. Sadly, this son died shortly after birth. This happened near the Chenab River in November 326 BC.
When Alexander returned to Susa in 324 BC, he honored Roxana's family. He promoted her brother to an important position. Alexander also married another woman, Stateira II. She was the daughter of the former Persian king, Darius III. This second marriage was likely to help unite his empire.
Life After Alexander's Death
Alexander the Great died suddenly in 323 BC in Babylon. After his death, Roxana faced many challenges. She was pregnant at the time. Her unborn child was very important for who would rule next.
Roxana is believed to have arranged the death of Stateira. This was to protect her own child's claim to the throne. Alexander's loyal generals discussed who should rule. They decided that if Roxana's child was a boy, he would also become king.
Roxana gave birth to a son. He was named Alexander IV of Macedon. He became king alongside Philip Arrhidaeus. For a time, Roxana and her young son were protected by Alexander the Great's mother, Olympias. They lived in Macedonia.
Roxana's Final Years
After Olympias died in 316 BC, Roxana and her son were captured. They were imprisoned in a fortress in Amphipolis. This was ordered by Cassander, a powerful general.
In 311 BC, a peace agreement was made. It confirmed Alexander IV as king. But Cassander remained his guardian. However, Cassander later ordered that Roxana and her son be killed. They are believed to have been murdered in the spring of 310 BC. Their deaths ended the royal family line of Alexander the Great.
Legacy of Roxana
- An asteroid, 317 Roxane, is named in her honor.
- Ancient writings mention a famous painting of Roxana's marriage. It was created by a Greek artist named Echion.
- In some stories, Roxana is shown as the daughter of Darius III. These stories are part of the Alexander Romance tales.
See also
