Notes on Ruler-Cult, I–IV

§1. A saying attributed to the Cynic Diogenes by Diogenes Laertius, VI. 63, ψηφισαμένων ᾿Αθηναίων ᾿Αλέξανδρον Διόνυσον, κἀμέ, ἔφη, Σάραπιν ποιήσατε though condemned as unhistorical by some scholars, has recently been quoted as evidence for the divine honours paid to Alexander during his life. It cannot, however, be genuine; Diogenes was not a contemporary of Alexander as world-conqueror, and Sarapis as a god who would be known in the Greek world at large is subsequent to king and Cynic alike. Apart from this we frequently find in modern authorities the statement that, when Alexander sent his demand in 324 to the cities of Greece to be recognised as a god, Athens on the proposal of Demades voted that he should be honoured as Dionysus. This is not the case.