Alexander the Great and the Plot of the Pages: When Children Conspired to Kill a King
Introduction: A Conspiracy in the Shadows
In the sweeping saga of Alexander the Great—a conqueror who carved an empire stretching from Greece to the Indus Valley—few episodes are as fascinating, tragic, and morally complex as the so-called Plot of the Pages. Unlike the battles of Issus or Gaugamela, which decided the fate of kingdoms, this conspiracy unfolded not on the battlefield but within the intimate confines of Alexander’s own camp. It was a scheme allegedly hatched by a group of young royal pages—boys trained to serve, guard, and learn from the king himself.
That boys, barely in their teens, could conspire against the most powerful man of their time is a story that cuts to the heart of Alexander’s rule. It reveals tensions of power, the cruelty of discipline, the fragile pride of youth, and the chilling reach of authority when betrayal was uncovered. This tale is not just about treason—it is about power, punishment, and the limits of mercy in the ancient world.
In this blog, we will explore the background of Alexander’s reign at the time, who the pages were, what motivated the plot, how it was discovered, and the terrible consequences that followed.
The Context: Alexander in Bactria and Sogdiana
By the time of the Plot of the Pages (circa 327 BCE), Alexander had already conquered the Persian Empire. But instead of returning triumphantly to Macedonia, he pressed further eastward into the rugged lands of Bactria and Sogdiana (modern Afghanistan and Uzbekistan).
These campaigns were brutal and exhausting. Alexander faced not only hostile tribes but also resistance from within his own army, which was weary of endless conquests. Tensions simmered among his men, and even more so among the noble families caught in the wake of his ambitions.
The Plot of the Pages occurred during this tense period, when Alexander was trying to consolidate his control over these territories. He had introduced practices that made many Macedonians uneasy—adopting Persian customs, enforcing strict discipline, and demanding unquestioned loyalty.
It was within this volatile environment that a group of young royal pages—boys who were supposed to represent the next generation of Macedonian nobility—decided to turn against their king.
Who Were the Royal Pages?
The royal pages (known as paides basilikoi) were no ordinary servants. They were boys, usually between 12 and 18 years old, drawn from the most prestigious Macedonian families. Their role was twofold:
- Education & Training – They learned military skills, court etiquette, and statesmanship directly under the king’s supervision.
- Service & Loyalty – They attended the king, guarded his quarters, and even acted as personal attendants in his daily life.
This system both honored noble families and ensured their loyalty, since their sons lived under the king’s watchful eye. But it also created a dangerous dynamic: the boys were close enough to Alexander to see his flaws, and their pride could easily be wounded under strict discipline.
The Spark: A Beating That Went Too Far
Ancient sources tell us that the plot began with an incident of punishment and humiliation.
One of the pages—Hermolaus, son of a Macedonian noble—was accused of misconduct while hunting with the king. Accounts differ: some say he struck the boar before Alexander, violating protocol; others suggest he simply spoke out of turn.
Whatever the offense, Alexander punished him harshly. Hermolaus was beaten with whips, a humiliation that burned deeper than the physical pain. For a proud young noble, being whipped before others was an unbearable insult.
This punishment planted the seed of vengeance. Hermolaus swore that he would not endure such disgrace without retribution.
The Conspiracy Takes Shape
Hermolaus began recruiting others among the pages. These were not random boys but the sons of Macedonia’s aristocracy—youths who felt entitled to honor and respect.
The plan was audacious: they would kill Alexander in his sleep. As pages, they had access to his chambers and could easily strike when his guards were less vigilant.
The conspiracy was small and secretive, but it was also reckless. These were boys driven by wounded pride rather than seasoned conspirators.
Discovery of the Plot
The assassination attempt never came to fruition. Before the pages could act, someone betrayed them—or perhaps one of the conspirators lost his nerve.
The plot was exposed, and Alexander was furious. He had already faced conspiracies before, including the assassination of his father, Philip II, years earlier. For Alexander, treason—especially from within his own household—was the gravest offense.
The boys were immediately arrested and brought before him.
The Trial: A King’s Wrath Meets Youthful Defiance
Accounts differ on how the trial unfolded, but ancient historians paint a vivid picture.
Hermolaus and his fellow conspirators did not beg for mercy. Instead, they boldly criticized Alexander. They accused him of becoming a tyrant, of punishing his nobles too harshly, and of dishonoring the traditions of Macedonia.
This defiance shocked many. Here were teenagers openly challenging the most powerful man in the world. To them, their conspiracy was not just about personal vengeance but about resisting what they saw as Alexander’s descent into despotism.
But Alexander could not afford to show weakness.
The Execution: No Mercy for Traitors
The punishment was swift and brutal. Hermolaus and the other conspirators were executed—some say by stoning, others by torture and hanging.
It was a chilling message: no matter one’s youth, noble birth, or proximity to the king, treason would not be forgiven.
For Alexander, this was both justice and necessity. He could not allow whispers of disobedience among those closest to him, especially while deep in hostile territory.
But for many in the army, the spectacle left an uneasy feeling. Had Alexander gone too far in punishing mere boys? Or was it a necessary cruelty in the harsh world of empire-building?
The Aftermath: Fear and Loyalty
The Plot of the Pages left a lasting mark on Alexander’s court. On one hand, it reinforced discipline and loyalty; no one dared risk disobedience after seeing the fate of the conspirators.
On the other hand, it exposed the cracks in Alexander’s rule. His Macedonian companions—men who had followed him since childhood—were increasingly uneasy with his adoption of Persian customs and his harsh treatment of dissent.
The incident contributed to an atmosphere of fear around Alexander, deepening the divide between king and companions.
Analysis: What Does the Plot Tell Us About Alexander?
Historians have long debated what the Plot of the Pages reveals about Alexander:
- A Harsh but Necessary Ruler – Some argue Alexander had no choice but to punish the conspirators. A king in hostile territory could not risk leniency.
- A Tyrant in the Making – Others see this as evidence of Alexander’s growing cruelty and authoritarianism, foreshadowing darker moments such as the killing of Cleitus the Black.
- A Clash of Generations – The pages represented youthful pride and idealism; Alexander represented authority and experience. Their collision was inevitable.
What is clear is that this was not just a childish rebellion. It was a moment that revealed the tensions of empire, the fragility of loyalty, and the human cost of absolute power.
Legacy: A Forgotten Chapter in Alexander’s Saga
The Plot of the Pages is often overshadowed by Alexander’s great battles and conquests, but it remains one of the most human and poignant episodes of his reign.
It reminds us that Alexander’s empire was not built only on military brilliance but also on ruthless control of those closest to him. Even children were not beyond suspicion, and even nobles’ sons could be crushed beneath the weight of royal authority.
Conclusion: A King and His Shadows
The story of Alexander and the Pages is not about victory or glory—it is about fear, pride, and the perilous balance between ruler and ruled.
For Alexander, it was another test of kingship: he survived the conspiracy, but at the cost of innocence, trust, and perhaps a piece of his humanity. For the boys, it was a tragic lesson in the consequences of defiance in an age where power was absolute.
In the end, the Plot of the Pages stands as a reminder that even in the courts of the greatest conquerors, danger could come not only from distant enemies but from the very children entrusted to their care.
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Reviewed by Sagar B
on
June 19, 2025
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