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Osprey Essential Histories #26
The Wars of Alexander the Great: 336–323 BC
The age of Alexander and his conquest of the Persian or 'Achaemenid' Empire, which had existed for over two centuries, represents a watershed in the history of the world. This book offers a fascinating insight into the achievements of one of the greatest generals ever known. Alexander's conquests are of profound significance. By perfecting the new weapons and tactics developed by his father, Philip II, and combining them with the use of specialist units and advancements in siege warfare, Alexander enabled the Macedonian kingdom to move beyond the restrictions of city-state armies and on to the stage of world conquest.
96 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 15, 2022
I would say 3.5 stars actually.
If I’d been born and raised in the first half of the 20th century, particularly prior to WW1 or WW2, I would have known more about all this because I’d have had a classical education. The world is not a better place because that was tossed out unless you attended a private school.
The only way to read a book like this, which has a load of sidebars, is to read a chapter without them, then go back and look them over. Then go on to chapter two. I didn’t do that. Reading the sidebars simultaneously with the chapter scrambles everything in your head and breaks the continuity of the narrative line of the book.
Why read ancient history? Because all the nations on the planet are still living it, whether they know it or not. We are still rooted in it and affected by it.
If I’d been born and raised in the first half of the 20th century, particularly prior to WW1 or WW2, I would have known more about all this because I’d have had a classical education. The world is not a better place because that was tossed out unless you attended a private school.
The only way to read a book like this, which has a load of sidebars, is to read a chapter without them, then go back and look them over. Then go on to chapter two. I didn’t do that. Reading the sidebars simultaneously with the chapter scrambles everything in your head and breaks the continuity of the narrative line of the book.
Why read ancient history? Because all the nations on the planet are still living it, whether they know it or not. We are still rooted in it and affected by it.
April 10, 2022
Alexandru Macedon a rămas faimos în istorie pentru campania sa panelenică de "eliberare" a polis-urilor grecești din Asia Mică; o campanie care eventual a dus la ocuparea și desființarea celui mai mare imperiu de la acel moment: Imperiul Persan. Având o armată bine echipată și antrenată, buni comandanți loiali și mânat de o ambiție nemaîntâlnită a reușit să ajungă din Macedonia natală până pe exoticul continent Indian, rivalizând faptele eroilor și zeilor pe care îi admira atât: precum Ahile, Heracle sau Dionisos. Dar, după o serie practic neîntreruptă de campanii războinice care au durat 13 ani, o ciudată boală (malarie, tifos, otrăvuri?) l-a răpus pe tânărul carismatic, care încă nu împlinise 33 de ani. În urmă a lăsat un imperiu imens care s-a fărâmițat rapid în alte serii de războaie ale succesorilor; ce s-a păstrat totuși este faima sa și numele nemuritor de Megas Alexandros - Cel Mai Mare Alexandru dintre toți.
Autorul este un istoric canadian, originar din Germania, care s-a specializat pe studierea vieții lui Alexandru Macedon. De asemenea, a editat colecții de studii despre civilizațiile elene și despre istoria acestora. A realizat comentarii și traduceri la opere clasice și este în general privit ca o autoritate în domeniu. Toate acestea se văd în calitatea informațiilor prezentate și în claritatea textului. De asemenea îl ajută extrem de mult și stilul plăcut, conferențial în care prezintă faptele și personajele antice. Bineînțeles că din cauza calapodului tipic Osprey (din care această carte face parte) nu poate fi considerată nici pe departe o sursă exhaustivă, ci doar un articol sau teză de cercetare mai lungă, care acoperă toate bazele principale, lăsând destule alte lucruri de a fi descoperite de cititorii interesați la o lectură mai aprofundată a celor n alte opere care s-au scris pe acest subiect.
Autorul este un istoric canadian, originar din Germania, care s-a specializat pe studierea vieții lui Alexandru Macedon. De asemenea, a editat colecții de studii despre civilizațiile elene și despre istoria acestora. A realizat comentarii și traduceri la opere clasice și este în general privit ca o autoritate în domeniu. Toate acestea se văd în calitatea informațiilor prezentate și în claritatea textului. De asemenea îl ajută extrem de mult și stilul plăcut, conferențial în care prezintă faptele și personajele antice. Bineînțeles că din cauza calapodului tipic Osprey (din care această carte face parte) nu poate fi considerată nici pe departe o sursă exhaustivă, ci doar un articol sau teză de cercetare mai lungă, care acoperă toate bazele principale, lăsând destule alte lucruri de a fi descoperite de cititorii interesați la o lectură mai aprofundată a celor n alte opere care s-au scris pe acest subiect.
February 9, 2023
Whilst I cannot argue with the author's knowledge of his subject, as his list of previous books amply demonstrates, that knowledge does not come through here. Throughout I felt that he was 'writing down' to an audience that (and this is only my impression) he felt would not understand more complex language and discussion.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this book, and of course nothing factually wrong, and it does provide a good introduction to the subject for the reader who is new to it. However, I would have liked something with a little more detail and in that respect I was disappointed (as, indeed, I was in many of the illustrations!), so my rating would have to be taken with that in mind - it is nonetheless what I felt about the book.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this book, and of course nothing factually wrong, and it does provide a good introduction to the subject for the reader who is new to it. However, I would have liked something with a little more detail and in that respect I was disappointed (as, indeed, I was in many of the illustrations!), so my rating would have to be taken with that in mind - it is nonetheless what I felt about the book.
July 26, 2024
The Osprey Essential Histories are usually very readable and interesting. This one is not: it is a messy blitz of names and places, kingdoms, battles, murder, massacre and mayhem. Mercifully, it is relatively short. A not so great narrative of ancient times.
December 23, 2021
Interesting and short take on the wars of Alexander. It has some peculiars stories that doesn't usually make other books about Alexander.
September 26, 2011
Alexander the Great is one of the unique figures in the history of the world. Alexander, the leader of tiny Macedonia, would take on the greatest power the world had ever seen, the Persian Empire. In time, he would be known as not only the King of Macedon and the master of Greece, but Lord of Asia, Pharaoh of Egypt, and King of Kings. Stories would be told of him for generations, inspiring all sorts of leaders such as Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
In a brief ninety-page work, Heckel tells the story how Alexander the Great conquered the entire world that was known to him. The book fills in some of the back-story dealing with the `relationship' between Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire. It tells the story of Macedonia and how Alexander's family came to rule it. It details the reign of Alexander's father, Philip the Magician, and how he came to be the master of all Greece. Alexander's story of conquest does not even begin until a third of the way into the book.
"What Philip's exact aims were, in terms of territorial acquisition, are not clear. Many suppose that he would have contented himself, initially at least, with the liberation of Asia Minor. This would certainly have been in keeping with Philip's practices in the past. From the time, that he overcame internal opposition and secured his borders against barbarian incursions, Philip expanded slowly and cautiously over a period of almost twenty years. Unlike Alexander, whose practice it was to conquer first and consolidate later--and, indeed, `later' never came in some cases--Philip was content to acquire territory systematically, without overextending Macedonian power." p.28
This particular series of books is interesting because they are in an almost textbook format with out really having a textbook feel to them. In this book, there are plenty of maps, classical paintings of events, pictures of statues, and photos of places that Alexander was at in modern times. A chapter deals with ordinary people who lived and worked while all these incredible events were going on. There are also little information boxes through out the book giving the reader a greater understanding on the topic that they are reading.
"Although Darius had again escaped from the battlefield, Gaugamela proved fatal for the Persian Empire. The Great King fled in the direction of Arbela, which he reached by midnight. Other contingents dispersed to their territories, as was the custom amongst the barbarians. Those who commanded the garrisons and guarded the treasures in the empire's capitals made a formal surrender to Alexander. One man, Mazaeus, the Persian hero of Gaugamela, surrendered Babylon, together with the gazophylax (guardian of the treasures'), Bagophanes. Alexander entered in great ceremony the ancient city, which now publicly turned its resources over to the new king, as it were." p.50
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about Alexander the Great. Since what the great king is known for is war, you do receive the complete Alexander in a very abridged form. It is a very brief but informative look into the fourth century B.C.
In a brief ninety-page work, Heckel tells the story how Alexander the Great conquered the entire world that was known to him. The book fills in some of the back-story dealing with the `relationship' between Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire. It tells the story of Macedonia and how Alexander's family came to rule it. It details the reign of Alexander's father, Philip the Magician, and how he came to be the master of all Greece. Alexander's story of conquest does not even begin until a third of the way into the book.
"What Philip's exact aims were, in terms of territorial acquisition, are not clear. Many suppose that he would have contented himself, initially at least, with the liberation of Asia Minor. This would certainly have been in keeping with Philip's practices in the past. From the time, that he overcame internal opposition and secured his borders against barbarian incursions, Philip expanded slowly and cautiously over a period of almost twenty years. Unlike Alexander, whose practice it was to conquer first and consolidate later--and, indeed, `later' never came in some cases--Philip was content to acquire territory systematically, without overextending Macedonian power." p.28
This particular series of books is interesting because they are in an almost textbook format with out really having a textbook feel to them. In this book, there are plenty of maps, classical paintings of events, pictures of statues, and photos of places that Alexander was at in modern times. A chapter deals with ordinary people who lived and worked while all these incredible events were going on. There are also little information boxes through out the book giving the reader a greater understanding on the topic that they are reading.
"Although Darius had again escaped from the battlefield, Gaugamela proved fatal for the Persian Empire. The Great King fled in the direction of Arbela, which he reached by midnight. Other contingents dispersed to their territories, as was the custom amongst the barbarians. Those who commanded the garrisons and guarded the treasures in the empire's capitals made a formal surrender to Alexander. One man, Mazaeus, the Persian hero of Gaugamela, surrendered Babylon, together with the gazophylax (guardian of the treasures'), Bagophanes. Alexander entered in great ceremony the ancient city, which now publicly turned its resources over to the new king, as it were." p.50
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about Alexander the Great. Since what the great king is known for is war, you do receive the complete Alexander in a very abridged form. It is a very brief but informative look into the fourth century B.C.
September 17, 2016
Attempting to cover the wars of Alexander covering 13 years and much of the known world at the time, is always going to be a difficult challenge. However this Osprey book provides a good overview of the batttles, movements and even some of the political difficulties and challenges, as well as providing information on Alexanders companions and generals.
Perhaps a little lacking in details for me, as I've read other longer books on Alexander (mostly from Osprey as well), but well written and easy to follow none-the-less.
I great first stop if you have an interest in the era, have heard of Alexander the Great but don't know much beyond that.
Perhaps a little lacking in details for me, as I've read other longer books on Alexander (mostly from Osprey as well), but well written and easy to follow none-the-less.
I great first stop if you have an interest in the era, have heard of Alexander the Great but don't know much beyond that.
April 23, 2014
While not as rigorous as some historians, Waldemar Heckel's account of the military campaign of Alexander the Great is very accessible and interesting read. I may pick up a more comprehensive book in the future, but I definitely don't regret reading this book.
December 21, 2015
A good introductory guide to the basics of Alexander's campaigns. Left me wanting to read something more detailed, but served beautifully to give me a general overview.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews