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Throughout my life, I wanted to overshadow Perseus and Hercules. And since both of these men could trace their lineage to Zeus, it was fitting that I too be able to draw this relationship.

Note that Hercules was both the son of Zeus and a mortal who became a God. So there was no reason for me to disbelieve my immortality, especially as the victories accumulated and I repeatedly escaped death.

Either way, it is fair to say that in order for me to defeat the mighty Achaemenid Empire, a trip through Siwah would be necessary to reinforce my credentials. What took place at Siwah was noteworthy, because it continued a motif of divine intervention throughout my life. I consulted with the Zeus-Ammon oracle where he pronounced me to be the son of Zeus-Ammon.

The term ammon is a derivation of amun, which is related to the Greek word ammos, meaning “sand.” Ammon was thus the more exotic, sandy version of the Greek God Zeus.

Later on in my life, I did begin to adopt the practice of prostration, where people would bow before me. Many of my Macedonian brothers wondered why I would adopt such a practice.

The truth is that by then, I had begun to adopt some Persian ways to gain credibility with locals throughout the Persian Empire. Besides, I also thought that it was only fair, since by now, I had achieved what no mortal man had ever accomplished: defeating the Persian Empire and become King of Kings, an immortal amongst men.

But before becoming King of Kings, King of Asia or King of Persia, I faced numerous obstacles.

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