Though a world-tripper, it is believed that when Alexander the Great caught sight of Roxane, it was love at first sight. Considering that Alexander was conquering all the lands thereabouts, including those of Roxanes father, it was fortunate for Roxane that he was so susceptible.

Roxanes father, prepared to live and let live, had had the wonderful idea of inviting Alexander to a banquet, and there his young daughter chose to entertain the visitor with a dance or two. Alexander was enchanted. And the next thing nothing would do but that they marry and live happily ever after.

Having himself tied the knot with the Persian lady, Alexander was very keen that his followers followed his example. But since the Persian ways were not the Macedonian ways, not all of his followers were keen to abandon the old ways to start new families in Persia.

They realized, of course, that in the eyes of Alexander, those who werent with him, must be deemed to be against him. Principles battled self interest, and then, as now, it was not long before principles fell by the wayside.

Alexander, of course, fully embraced the Persian life. Its style suited him just fine. He loved the clothes, he loved his two wives, and he really went for the way people threw themselves on the ground when they addressed him.

His generals, after sulking in the corner for a while, decided what the heck. Numerous soldiers, with wives and children back home, happily took on one or more Persian wives to please their leader.

Alexander was extremely appreciative of their gesture. Like all grooms who fete their guests by sending them away with a piece of wedding cake or other good things, he decided to reward his soldiers with a gift they would never forget. For all the thousands of his soldiers who chose to marry a Persian bride, he offered to pay off all their current debts.

It was a ceremony like no other. After placing a table where everyone could see it, Alexander loaded it with a mountain of gold pieces. As each soldier, in turn, approached it, he was asked for his tab. And so long as he could prove that he was indeed married to a Persian bride, all his debts would be wiped out just like that.

Though this was something that was much talked of for a long time to come, it failed to cement the affection between the partners as Alexander had hoped. No sooner was Alexander dead and buried, than the soldiers were only to quick to abandon their Persian brides and revert to their Macedonian ways.