At his death in 323 BC, Alexander the Great ruled an empire stretching from the Balkans to India, yet the best accounts we have of his life were written hundreds of years after his death. This book presents new translations of the most important ancient writings on Alexander's life and legacy. Substantial extracts from Greek and Latin authors are arranged thematically and presented in such a way that the reader can compare different reports of the same events. They provide comprehensive coverage of Alexander, from his family background to his military conquests, death, and legacy. Accounts by historians are complemented by passages from geographers, biographers, and military writers. Waldemar Heckel, one of the foremost Alexander scholars in the world, provides an introduction and commentary outlining Alexander's career, and discussing the sources, both extant and lost. He also supplies a bibliography of the most significant modern works on Alexander. Visual evidence is included, and a map of Alexander's expedition guides readers through the military campaigns.
At his death in 323 BC, Alexander the Great ruled an empire stretching from the Balkans to India, yet the best accounts we have of his life were written hundreds of years after his death. This book presents new translations of the most important ancient writings on Alexander's life and legacy. Substantial extracts from Greek and Latin authors are arranged thematically and presented in such a way that the reader can compare different reports of the same events. They provide comprehensive coverage of Alexander, from his family background to his military conquests, death, and legacy. Accounts by historians are complemented by passages from geographers, biographers, and military writers. Waldemar Heckel, one of the foremost Alexander scholars in the world, provides an introduction and commentary outlining Alexander's career, and discussing the sources, both extant and lost. He also supplies a bibliography of the most significant modern works on Alexander. Visual evidence is included, and a map of Alexander's expedition guides readers through the military campaigns.
List Of Plates.
List of Abbreviations.
Preface.
Map: Alexander's Campaignes, 334-323 BC.
Stemma 1: The Family of Philip II and Alexander.
Stermma2: The Family of Olympias.
Translator's Note.
Introduction.
Part I: Macedonian Background.
1. Early History Of Macedonia.
2. Macedonians And Greeks: Language, Culture, Attitudes.
3. The King, Aristocracy And Macedonian Institutions.
Part II: Philip II, Father Of Alexander The Great:.
4. Philip’s Marriages.
5. Philip's Death.
6. A Comparison Of Philip And Alexander.
Part III: Alexander’s Family, Youth, Appearance And Character.
7. Alexander’s Parents And Mythical Ancestors.
8. Alexander’s Siblings: A Warlike Half-Sister and a Mentally Defective Half-Brother.
9. Alexander’s Education.
10. Alexander’s Body.
11. Alexander’s Attitude towards Sex.
12. Alexander’s Drinking, Personal Habits, And Health.
13. Alexander’s Character, Intellect, And Moderation.
14. Alexander And Bucephalas.
Part IV: The Persians And their Empire:.
15. The Empire before Alexander’s Accession.
16. Persian Wealth And Displays Of Opulence.
17. Death Of Darius III.
Part V: Alexander And the Greeks.
18. The Panhellenic Crusade.
19. Alexander's Punishment of those Greeks who Opposed Him.
20. Greek Ambassadors To The Great King Captured By Alexander.
21. Resistance To Alexander In His Absence.
22. Alexander and the Greek Cities of Asia Minor.
Part VI: The Army And War:.
23. Financial Resources and Military Strength.
24. Major Battles.
25. Sieges And Smaller Battles.
Part VII: Alexander And The Barbarians.
26. Alexander Adopts Persian Dress And Practices.
27. The Attempt To Introduce Proskynesis.
28. Mixed Marriages.
29. The Epigoni And The Appointment Of Orientals In The Army.
30. The Persian Seal.
31. The Tomb Of Cyrus The Great.
32. Macedonian Reaction To Alexander’s Orientalism.
Part VIII: Alexander And Women.
33. Alexander and his "Mothers": Olympias, Ada, and Sisygambis.
34. The Captive Persian Queens.
35. The Amazon Queen.
36. Timocleia Of Thebes.
37. The Wife Of Spitamenes.
38. Alexander And Roxane.
39. Alexander And Cleophis.
Part IX: Gods And Heroes.
40. Imitation And Emulation Of Achilles, Heracles, and Dionysus.
40. The Gordian Knot.
41. Amun (Ammon) And Alexander’s “Divinity”.
Part X: Alexander and the Macedonians: Disaffection, Conspiracy And Mutiny.
42. General Account Of Alexander Savagery.
43. Alexander The Lyncestian.
44. The Elimination Of Philotas And Parmenion.
45. Cleitus.
46. Callisthenes And The Hermolaus Conspiracy.
47. Coenus Opposes Alexander At The Hyphasis (Beas) River.
48. Rivalry Between Craterus And Hephaestion.
49. Harpalus, Alexander's Imperial Treasurer.
49. The ‘Opis Mutiny’.
Part XI: Alexander’s Final Days, Final Plans And The Division Of Power After His Death.
50. Death Of Alexander.
51. Rumours Of Poisoning.
52. The Hypomnemata And The Final Plans Of Alexander.
53. Alexander’s Will And The Division Of Power After His Death.
Part XII: Alexander And The Romans:.
54. A Roman View Of Alexander’s Conquests.
55. Did the Romans Send an Embassy to Alexander?.
56. Could Alexander have Conquered the Romans?.
57. Roman Imitation and Emulation of Alexander.
Part XIII: Cities Founded by Alexander.
58. Alexandria In Egypt.
59. Alexandria in the Hindu Kush (Parapamisus).
60. Alexandria-Eschate (Alexandria on the Iaxartes).
61. Bucephala and Nicaea on the Hydaspes (Jhelum).
62. Alexandria in Carmania.
63. Alexandria in Susiana.
64. Foundations Amongst the Cossaeans.
65. Glossary.
66. Bibliography.
67. Index.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
Index.
Waldemar Heckel is Professor of Ancient History at the
University of Calgary. He was a founding editor of the Ancient
History Bulletin and is the author of numerous books and articles,
including The Last Days and Testament of Alexander the Great
(1988), The Marshals of Alexander’s Empire (1992), and The Wars of
Alexander the Great (2002).
J. C. Yardley is Professor of Classics at the University of Ottawa and a past President of the Classical Association of Canada. His publications include translations of Quintus Curtius’ History of Alexander, Livy 31–40, and Justin’s Epitome of Trogus. His latest work is Justin and Pompeius Trogus (2003).
"This volume provides an excellent selection of source materials
with judicious commentary and up-to-date references. The elusive
Alexander has never been so accessible to undergraduates. This
volume seems destined to become a standard in our classrooms."
Professor Frank Holt, University of Houston
"This well-conceived and brilliantly executed book will be a boon
to lecturers, teachers, and students of Alexander alike." Dr Pat
Wheatley, University of Queensland
"A review has to answer one simple question: is it advisable to buy
this book? This time, the answer is an unqualified yes. Heckel and
Yardley have collected many sources on the reign of Alexander and
offer admirable translations and fine explanations...their book is
to be recommended to anyone studying the reign of Alexander." Jona
Lendering, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
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