Roxana, the exotic Bactrian wife of Alexander the Great

Roxana, Alexander the Great's wife, was a significant figure in ancient history. She was born around 340 BCE in Bactria, in present-day Afghanistan.

The daughter of the Bactrian nobleman Oxyartes, Roxana was known for her beauty and intelligence.

She married Alexander in 327 BCE during his campaign in Asia. Their union was a romantic and political alliance, symbolising the merging of Macedonian and Persian cultures.

After Alexander died in 323 BCE, the Bactrian woman gave birth to their son, Alexander IV, but her life took a tragic turn as she navigated the treacherous political landscape of the successor states.

Following her husband's death, she faced numerous challenges, including power struggles among Alexander’s generals, known as the Diadochi. Eventually, she was captured and killed around 310 BCE, marking the end of her tumultuous life.

The article first appeared in the Ancient History Vault. 

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