Fascinating, Kallistos! Yes, my Roman/Etruscan background had prepared me a bit, and now whenever I read of crows, eagles, swallows, etc. in the ancient sources - I just have to wonder whether the historian put some of it in "after the fact" since omens were required. But it brings up a more interesting point, one with which, in Century 21, we now have trouble - taking Alexander's faith seriously. I think an argument could be made that he was possibly the most religious world conqueror, ever. And if I follow the theories right, he had an intimate relationship with the gods - he did them honor (and it's amazing to read how after every battle, and sometimes before it, he sacrificed and prayed - if it were 1500 years later, he'd be the most devout Crusader on his way to 'liberate' Jerusalem). In return, he hoped for the favor of the gods in what he did. Natural events and omens and his seeking out the famous omens of the Greek world all fit this pattern. So perhaps these various "bird stories" are actually his mind-set in always looking for communications from the gods to tell him whether he was on the right track. Particularly with bird omens, we tend to snicker, but to Alexander, it was probably as realistic a guide to what the gods wanted him to do as a voice coming out of a burning bush.