Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction

Description

In 336 BC Alexander the Great became king of Macedon. During his twelve-year reign he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest to have yet existed, and in the process had a profound effect on the world he moved through. In this examination of his life and career, Hugh Bowden explores his cultural and historical legacy.

• A clear introduction to the history of the life and reign of Alexander the Great
• Considers the background to his life by looking at the history of the kingdom of Macedon and the Achaemenid Persian Empire
• Explores Alexander's campaign of conquest in the Persian Empire
• Goes behind the historical accounts of Alexander's life to examine evidence from his lifetime, including letters, diaries, and historical records
• Tells the story of his incredible cultural and historical legacy around the world
• Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series - over six million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Hugh Bowden, Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at King's College London

Hugh Bowden is Professor of Ancient History at King's College London. He is an internationally recognised expert on Alexander the Great, and also on religious experience in the Greek world. He is co-editor of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook on Ancient Mystery Cults (*OUP). His books include Mystery Cults in the Ancient World (2010), and Classical Athens & the Delphic Oracle: Divination and Democracy (2005). He has also published many articles and book chapters on ancient Greek religion and on Alexander the Great.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1:Before Alexander
2:Prince: Alexander in the Macedonian Court
3:Warrior: Alexander's army
4:Commander Alexander and the Greeks
5:Pharaoh: Alexander and Egypt
6:King of the world: Alexander and Persia
7:Traveller: Alexander in Afghanistan and Pakistan
8:Doomed to die: Alexander in Babylon
9:After Alexander
References
Further reading
Index

Reviews

"Bowden covers all the highlights of Alexander's career" - Steve Craggs, Northern Echo

"It's an interesting read for those who do know something of Alexander, as well as for initiates" - Adrian Spooner, Classics for All