The Rage of Alexander Alexander Kills Cleitus

In 328 B. C., Cleitus, another general and close friend of Alexander, also met a violent end. Fed up with Alexanders new Persianlike persona, a drunk Cleitus continually insulted Alexander and minimized his achievements. Pushed too far, Alexander killed Cleitus with a spear, a spontaneous act of violence that anguished him. Some historians believe Alexander killed his general in a fit of drunkennessa persistent problem that plagued him through much of his life. The Rage of Achilles and Alexander. To gain credibility with the Persians, Alexander took on many Persian customs. He began dressing like a Persian and adopted the practice of proskynesis, a Persian court custom that involved bowing down and kissing the hand of others, depending on their rank. The Macedonians were less than thrilled with the changes in Alexander and his attempt to be viewed as a deity. They refused to practice proskynesis and some plotted his death. Increasingly paranoid, Alexander ordered the death of one of his