Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction

Nonfiction, History, Ancient History, Greece
Cover of the book Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction by Hugh Bowden, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Hugh Bowden ISBN: 9780191016363
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: July 24, 2014
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Hugh Bowden
ISBN: 9780191016363
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: July 24, 2014
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Alexander the Great became king of Macedon in 336 BC, when he was only 20 years old, and died at the age of 32, twelve years later. During his reign he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire that had ever existed, leading his army from Greece to Pakistan, and from the Libyan desert to the steppes of Central Asia. His meteoric career, as leader of an alliance of Greek cities, Pharaoh of Egypt, and King of Persia, had a profound effect on the world he moved through. Even in his lifetime his achievements became legendary and in the centuries that following his story was told and retold throughout Europe and the East. Greek became the language of power in the Eastern Mediterranean and much of the Near East, as powerful Macedonian dynasts carved up Alexander's empire into kingdoms of their own, underlaying the flourishing Hellenistic civilization that emerged after his death. But what do we really know about Alexander? In this Very Short Introduction, Hugh Bowden goes behind the usual historical accounts of Alexander's life and career. Instead, he focuses on the evidence from Alexander's own time — letters from officials in Afghanistan, Babylonian diaries, records from Egyptian temples — to try and understand how Alexander appeared to those who encountered him. In doing so he also demonstrates the profound influence the legends of his life have had on our historical understanding and the controversy they continue to generate worldwide. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Alexander the Great became king of Macedon in 336 BC, when he was only 20 years old, and died at the age of 32, twelve years later. During his reign he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire that had ever existed, leading his army from Greece to Pakistan, and from the Libyan desert to the steppes of Central Asia. His meteoric career, as leader of an alliance of Greek cities, Pharaoh of Egypt, and King of Persia, had a profound effect on the world he moved through. Even in his lifetime his achievements became legendary and in the centuries that following his story was told and retold throughout Europe and the East. Greek became the language of power in the Eastern Mediterranean and much of the Near East, as powerful Macedonian dynasts carved up Alexander's empire into kingdoms of their own, underlaying the flourishing Hellenistic civilization that emerged after his death. But what do we really know about Alexander? In this Very Short Introduction, Hugh Bowden goes behind the usual historical accounts of Alexander's life and career. Instead, he focuses on the evidence from Alexander's own time — letters from officials in Afghanistan, Babylonian diaries, records from Egyptian temples — to try and understand how Alexander appeared to those who encountered him. In doing so he also demonstrates the profound influence the legends of his life have had on our historical understanding and the controversy they continue to generate worldwide. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Why Humans Like to Cry by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Reasons Why by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Thomas Churchyard by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book The Classic Horror Stories by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book On the Origin of Species by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book On Not Defending Poetry by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy, Volume 54 by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Fascism: A Very Short Introduction by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Refugee Economies by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book The Historians of Angevin England by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Human Rights by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Legalism by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book What Makes Time Special? by Hugh Bowden
Cover of the book Grimoires by Hugh Bowden
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy