Leonidas (teacher)

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Leonidas was one of Alexander the Great's early tutors. Chosen by Alexander's mother Olympias, most likely because of his relation to the epirote princess turned queen. He was said to be stern, petty, and prying. He also believed in hard exercise. It is said that he rummaged through Alexander's trunks of clothes to make sure nothing too luxurious had been smuggled in. He once reproached the young Alexander for being too lavish with his sacrificial offerings when he threw a large amount of incense into the fire. He told Alexander that when he conquered the spice bearing regions he could waste as much as he wanted. As a retort, after Alexander had conquered those areas he sent Leonidas an abundant load of frankincense and myrrh as a gift. Little else is known of Leonidas.

References

Robin Lane Fox Alexander The Great 1973