Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Even in the ancient world, Alexander had a reputation as a heavy drinker. The picture isn't always pretty. But how much of that is real, and how much the story our ancient authors WANT you to believe? What problems get in the way of making an assessment, such as differences between drinking habits in south Greece and further north in Macedonia? How did ancient tropes about debauched tyrants color their writings? Let's dive in!
Correction: at 9:50, I accidentally refer to the oinochoe (wine pitcher) as a rhyton (wine aerator), although earlier I used the right term. Just didn't want to confuse anybody. At 11:30, I explain what a rhyton is used for.
Even in the ancient world, Alexander had a reputation as a heavy drinker. The picture isn't always pretty. But how much of that is real, and how much the story our ancient authors WANT you to believe? What problems get in the way of making an assessment, such as differences between drinking habits in south Greece and further north in Macedonia? How did ancient tropes about debauched tyrants color their writings? Let's dive in!
Correction: at 9:50, I accidentally refer to the oinochoe (wine pitcher) as a rhyton (wine aerator), although earlier I used the right term. Just didn't want to confuse anybody. At 11:30, I explain what a rhyton is used for.
