melcart

Updated: May 28, 2025

Eight thousand of the citizens are said to have been massacred; and the remainder, with the exception of the king and some of the principal men, who had taken refuge in the temple of Melcart, were sold into slavery to the number of 30,000. Tyre was taken in the month of July in 332. Whilst Alexander was engaged in the siege of Tyre, Darius made him further and more advantageous proposals.

Sir William Smith - A Smaller history of Greece : From the earliest times to the Roman conquest

Alexander affected to receive their offer as an unconditional surrender, and told them that he would visit their city and offer sacrifices to Melcart, a Tyrian deity, who was considered as identical with the Grecian Hercules. This brought the matter to an issue.

Sir William Smith - A Smaller history of Greece : From the earliest times to the Roman conquest

The Tyrians now informed him that they could not admit any foreigners within their walls, and that, if he wished to sacrifice to Melcart, he would find another and more ancient shrine in Old Tyre, on the mainland. Alexander indignantly dismissed the Tyrian ambassadors, and announced his intention of laying siege to their city. The Tyrians probably deemed it impregnable.

Sir William Smith - A Smaller history of Greece : From the earliest times to the Roman conquest