I knew all the time that you, Philip, son of Amyntas, were my father. I only accepted the statement of the oracle because I thought it was good policy.

I have a hard time believing this statement coming from Alexander in the Dialogues of the Dead.

I've just finished reading the Alexander chapter of the great overview book Egypt, Greece, and Rome. I can't help but think that once Alexander tasted unlimited power, he couldn't help but become a complete megalomanical tyrant. Some of the stories of forced hardship for his troops and over-the-top drinking parties makes him seem incredibly self-absorbed. People were dying left and right due to his instability. He makes other tyrants like Xerxes I seem much more controlled and mild.

That's why this quote from Lucian seems so incredible to me. There is no way Alexander believed it was “good policy” to be considered a god. He relished the idea of being a god. Just like the oriental despots he deposed.