Alexander: (1) the Great, of Macedon.
(2) of Pherae, a despot who dominated Thessaly from 369 B.C. A cruel tyrant, assassinated through the agency of his wife.
Alexis: poet of the ‘Middle Comedy’, who had migrated from South Italy to Athens. Plutarch says that he lived to the age of 106, and Suidas that his plays numbered 245.
Alyáttes: king of Lydia and father of Croesus, carried on wars with the Greeks of the Aegean coast of Asia Minor and had apparently some designs upon the islands.
Amásis: an insurgent Egyptian general who secured the throne (569 B.C.). His rule was beneficent and prosperous, and he cultivated the friendship of the Greeks, handing over to them the town of Naucratis (q. v.). When reproached with his humble origin he converted his bronze foot-pan into the effigy of a deity by way of instructive parable. He was visited by Solon and had amicable relations with Croesus.
Ammónius: Peripatetic philosopher from Attica, teacher of Plutarch, who speaks elsewhere of his great erudition.
Amphiaráus: legendary seer of Argos, who accompanied the ‘Seven’ in their expedition against Thebes. A pious and just man, who was led into this false step by the persuasions of his wife, who had been bribed.
Amphíctyons: members of a religious Council meeting at Delphi and representing the older Greek communities.
Amphídămas: ‘hero’ (i. e. demigod) of Chalcis in Euboea, conceived as a historical personage.
Amphitrítë: wife of Poseidon and queen-goddess of the sea.