Alexander the Great: Historical Sources in Translation

by Waldemar Heckel (Editor), J.C. Yardley (Editor)

This source book presents new translations of the most important ancient writings on the life and legacy of Alexander the Great.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Greece

378 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2003

Reviews

[emmy]

Once again... i did not read this cover to cover but it is causing me great pain for this fucking class so i get to log it. ONCE I FINISH THIS PAPER I NEVER HAVE TO THINK ABT ALEXANDER THE GREAT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

[Leila Anani]

This concordance to primary sources about Alexander is invaluable. It's split into 13 main topics which you'll find in the contents page - and then gives you all the relevant sources pertaining to that particular topic which when you are looking for something specific means you don't have to wade through your Arrian, Plutarch, Rufus etc... as it's all in one place. Has saved me a tremendous amount of time!

There's some obscure stuff in here too such as his warrior princess sister Cynara, all the women in his life and many of the conspiracies and plots against him. I love the fact that it covers more personal issues and people rather than focusing on the battles (although of course they are in here too - but there are better books that deal with them in more detail).

It is a tad dry, but you are never going to get around that with something that's dealing primarily with primary sources in translation.

This one is a total must have for any Alexander scholar.

[Daniel Jones]

Really interesting compilation of primary source material that includes contextual commentary, as well as a description of the sources themselves, their weaknesses and strengths. Definitive work on Alexander the Great's life.

[Valantis Athanasiou]

Stopped reading at page 7. Saying that Alexander the Great and ancient Macedonians weren't Greek destroys any credibility and takes a modern political position. His arguments are long debunked by the majority of scholars dealing with the subject, like Worthington, Anson, Kagan and many others. Greek names, greek religion, greek culture.

[Heidi]

Way more information than I expected to get from this book, but it is a really dry read.