UFOs in Antiquity: The Mysterious Aerial Phenomena of Alexander the Great

An Ancient Warrior’s Skyward Encounters

When we think of Alexander the Great, our minds conjure images of epic conquests, legendary battles, and an empire that stretched from Greece to the edge of India. But among the many stories told of his military genius and divine ambition, there lies a lesser-known narrative—one that lifts our eyes from the battlefield to the skies.

Historical accounts, preserved and retold through generations, speak of inexplicable aerial phenomena encountered during Alexander’s military campaigns. These stories, strange and often dismissed by mainstream historians, have sparked curiosity among alternative researchers and ancient astronaut theorists. Could the skies above the ancient world have held more than clouds and celestial omens? Could Alexander the Great have witnessed what we might now call UFOs?

The Siege of Tyre: Fiery Discs Over the Battlefield

One of the most frequently cited incidents occurred during the siege of Tyre in 332 BCE, a formidable city located on the Mediterranean coast in present-day Lebanon. This was no ordinary siege—it took Alexander and his forces seven grueling months to breach the city’s defenses, which were strengthened by their island location and towering walls.

A Second Encounter in India: Chariots of Fire in the Sky

Years later, during Alexander’s famed campaign in India around 326 BCE, another remarkable sighting was recorded—this time during a confrontation near the Hyphasis River (now the Beas River). As Alexander’s troops prepared to engage in battle against formidable local forces, they reportedly witnessed “two large flying objects” hovering in the sky.

These crafts were again described as disc-shaped, emitting a strange glow and producing terrifying sounds unlike anything the soldiers had heard. Some accounts claim the “sky chariots” moved erratically—rising, diving, and circling above the battlefield—as if observing or warning.

While no direct engagement occurred between the flying objects and Alexander’s army, the sheer spectacle was said to have shaken the morale of his troops, who interpreted the phenomenon as a divine or otherworldly sign. It was after this encounter that Alexander decided not to advance further into India, choosing instead to return westward. Could this decision have been influenced not only by military fatigue—but by something far stranger?

Mainstream Skepticism vs. Alternative Interpretations

Academics and historians tend to approach these stories with caution, often dismissing them as misinterpretations, mythologized embellishments, or symbolic visions. Indeed, the ancient world was replete with metaphors—celestial signs were frequently invoked to legitimize power or dramatize events.

Yet, for those in the ancient astronaut and UFO research communities, the consistency of these descriptions—especially the reference to disc-shaped flying objects with extraordinary capabilities—is too striking to ignore. Proponents argue that ancient scribes had no vocabulary for spacecraft or aerial technology, so they described what they saw using the terms they knew: “shields,” “chariots,” or “flaming wheels.”

Some point to parallels in other ancient cultures—from the fiery vimanas of Indian epics to Ezekiel’s wheel in the Bible—as evidence that Earth’s skies have long hosted unexplained visitors.

Alexander the Great: Chosen by the Gods—or Watched by Them?

Another layer to the mystery is Alexander’s own self-perception. He famously considered himself to be of divine heritage, a son of Zeus-Ammon, and sought validation from oracles and prophets throughout his life. His belief in supernatural guidance may have colored how such encounters were recorded—or perhaps they genuinely reinforced his sense of cosmic destiny.

Could the supposed aerial phenomena have played a role in affirming his divine mission? Or, from a modern lens, was Alexander a historical figure who unknowingly became part of an extraterrestrial observational program?

A Legacy Etched in Stone—and in the Stars

Whether these tales are allegorical, exaggerated, or literal records of alien contact, they remain a captivating part of Alexander the Great’s legend. They force us to ask uncomfortable but exhilarating questions: If such encounters occurred in antiquity, how many have been lost to time—or deliberately forgotten? What secrets lie between history and myth?

As our understanding of aerial phenomena evolves with contemporary sightings and official disclosures, perhaps it is time to reexamine ancient accounts with fresh eyes—and reconsider the possibility that the skies have always been watching.