Chapter 21 Revisit

Alexander the Great Connections Web + Numbers

I am on a mission to finish a couple of Part1 cataloging exercises (numbers + inter-chapter connections) I started a while ago so that I can focus on some new cataloging exercises that I am feeling more excited about (image sources and clue lists). I went back to Chapter 21 to look at the instances where numbers appear as well as made note of any superficial (i.e. immediately felt by me) connections to other chapters in the book.

Regarding the numbers, I saw a sentence appear in the context of some social commentary by the author:

“There is comfort in numbers.”

Interesting!

My attention was definitely drawn back to the number of cities (20) named Alexandria, and I wanted to see how many cities/towns in the US might have that name.

I have not checked it with any other sources other than what came up in a quick internet search, but there may be 12 places in the US named Alexandria. That actually seems small to me - but the number 12 appearing in yet another context has my interest.

It also appears in reference to the Herculean labors which I don’t think I previously noted.

Here is what I mapped out for inter-chapter connections (here is a full PDF).

I felt like this is the first chapter in a little while where there are a lot of chapter tie-ins. Maybe because it’s towards the end of the book (the opening chapters also felt more loaded than some of the middle ones). The things that really resonate for me are Olympics, Egypt, Apollo, and the George Washington connection via the Apotheosis of Washington mural in the US Capitol.

I also noticed the mention of quartz crystal within one of the myths that aslo introduces some significance to the amethyst gemstone.

I am sure there are plenty more, but the discipline I am trying to stay with is holding on to those connections that feel easy to access (with the understanding that taking those a layer deeper will likely be needed down the road).