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Reading The Life Of Alexander

The Life Of Alexander The Great
and how to read about it
By
Kallistos Alexandros

There is, in the ancient world, no figure so famous as The Great Alexander.
Others such as Caesar and Cleopatra VII, may be well known in our western
culture, but Alexander is still spoken of high in the Hindu Kush and deep
in the Indus Valley where Caesar is unknown. For nearly 2500 years his
story has been told around campfires in Uzbekistan and in shadow plays
in Iran. It is written in the ancient texts from Rome to China and recited
where books are few and reading rare.
“ of all of his many achievements, that one which has longest endured
is his fame. In that achievement he is unassailable. As I write his name,
it is being spoken all over the world".............Kallistos
There are thousands of books in English alone which recount the tale of
Alexander’s life and dozens of new ones are offered for sale annually.
There are to date, 14,500 Alexander The Great web sites and television
and the films continue to produce entertainment's with varying degrees
of accuracy to fulfill the peoples appetite for stories of Alexander.
There exists, no primary source of information about the life of Alexander.
There are fragments and quotations, but as yet, no complete work written
by someone who was actually there at the time. The nearest thing we have
to a primary source is a book written more than 300 years after the events
by Flavius Arrianus Xenophon known simply as Arrian. he had a great amount
of research material available to him which has now perished, but chose
to use as his primary source of facts the book written by Ptolemy, Alexander’s
friend and general, with additional material by Aristobulus who wrote a
a first hand account unfailingly complimentary to Alexander. Ptolemy wrote
only of Alexander’s campaign and death in Asia and though his book
is now lost to us, Arrian’s, “ The Campaigns Of Alexander “,
based upon it is readily available to the modern English reader, and generally
considered a reliable source. It is currently published both by Penguin
books and Barnes And Noble in the 1958 translation by Aubrey de Sélincourt.
A somewhat earlier account is given by Diodorus
Siculus, a greek living
in Sicily in book 17 of his, “ Universal History “. An annotated
translation by C. Bradford Wells is available through The Loeb Classical
Library.
The Roman writer, Quintus
Curtius Rufus, sometime in the 1st century CE.
wrote, “ The History Of Alexander “. A translation by John
Yardley with notes by the distinguished Alexander scholar, Waldemar Heckel
is available from Penguin Classics.
In the second century CE., Plutarch included in a series of biographies,
a life of Alexander. Translations of this work have been many over the
centuries. There is a current translation by Ian Scott-Kilvert available
under the title, “ Plutarch The Age Of Alexander “, from Penguin
Classics.
From the 19th century to the present, Alexander studies have flourished
and the resulting books have proliferated to the point where the choices
have become bewildering. Views of Alexander’s character change with
the relative values of the time and the idiosyncrasies of the author. The
post modern deconstructionist movement in history has done much to debunk
some of the inappropriate social constructs which have for so long detracted
from a clear understanding of Alexander as he existed in his own time and
place, but respectable modern scholars still publish culturally biased
books based upon personal values unimagined in Alexander’s time,
if not in actual conflict with the perceptions of a 4th century BCE. Macedonian.
Authors since Quintius
Curtius Rufus have sought to impose their own absolutist
moral codes upon Alexander’s life. It is wise when encountering an
author who extols Alexander as a hero or a saint or excoriates him as a
barbaric marauder, to look with some suspicion upon the entire work. History
from a moral point of view may be good ethics, but it is not good history.
There have emerged in the past years a few good scholarly works on Alexander
which are readily available to the general public. Outstanding among these
is, “ Alexander The Great “, by Robin
Lane Fox, published by Penguin
Books. It is distinguished by a clear cold look at the subject
heretofore so often distorted by emotionalism. Robin Lane Fox has the advantage
of being a teacher of both classical studies and ancient history as well
as islamic history at Oxford. He has therefore,a general understanding
of the background of Alexander's life which is essential to an understanding
of Alexander. Many authors, from amateur historians to accomplished scholars,
simply take the known facts and apply their own peculiar views without
an understanding of the cultural values which form any character. This
is not true of Mr. Fox and the result is an informed understanding which
distinguishes this fine book. The writing is direct and uncomplicated making
this a good starting place for study or just a good read.
The most popular Alexander historian of our day is Peter
Green. His book, “ Alexander
Of Macedon “, is constantly re printed and always available from
The University Of California Press and most large booksellers. The reason
for this popularity is the art of the writing. Mr. Green has a rare talent
for making history come to life with an immediacy which engages both the
student and the casual reader. He has an unexcelled comprehension of the
culture and the arts of ancient Greece which allows him to see Alexander
in the proper perspective and he can artfully communicate his perceptions
to his readers. It is for this quality that his work is not always well
received in the most erudite of academic circles where the style of the
writing seems to some, inappropriate, but it is for this very reason that
Mr. Green brings Alexander studies to life and encourages the student to
further studies. His, is a fine book with which to begin the study of Alexander.
The following annotated bibliography presents some of the books available
to the serious student of Alexander. It does not pretend to be complete
and it would be helpful if there was input from others. Please feel free
to make additions or corrections and leave me a personal message. I shall
consider all suggestions.

A Bibliography of Alexander Studies
A listing of the standard texts in Alexander studies
Bibliography for Alexander Studies
Aeschines
Athenian orator and statesman 397-322 B.C. Aeschines was the life long
foe of Demosthenes. He was the voice of reason in the Athenian senate and
tried to stop war between Athens and her allies and Macedonia.
The Speeches of Aeschines
Aeschines Against Ctesiphon: On the Crown
Aristotle
Philosopher and tutor of Alexander
384-322 B.C.
As the teacher of Alexander, Aristotle had a great influence upon him.
Aristotle believed in a strong central government lead by an enlightened
ruler as his teacher, Plato had come to believe. He inspired in Alexander
a life long interest in natural science as well as a firm belief in his
right to rule and duty to excel. He did not succeed in instilling in Alexander
his own bigoted attitude towards foreign cultures.
The Complete Works of Aristotle: The Revised Oxford Translation (Bollingen
Series - Volumes 1 & 2)
Complete Works of Aristotle; Revised Oxford Translation
Arrian, Flavius Arrianus
(second century A.D.)
Arrian is the definitive source for information on Alexander The Great.
Though written three hundred years later, it is taken directly from the
history written by Alexander's friend and general Ptolemy and the writings
of, both unfortunately lost to us.The debate over the veracity of Ptolemy
continues, but the fact remains that it is the best source extant . There
is an excellent and readily available translation by Aubry de Selincourt
with introductory notes by J.R.Hamilton. It is absolutely necessary reading
for any study of Alexander. Arrians Campaign Of Alexander, London (Penguin
Classics), revised edition, 1972.
Arrian: Anabasis Alexandri, Books I-IV (Lcl, 236)
Arrian: Anabasis Alexandri, Books V-Vii, Indica (Lcl No. 269)
Alexander the Great: Selections from Arrian
Demosthenes
(384-322)
Athenian orator and statesman. The life long enemy of both Philip and
Alexander. He is one of the many suspects in the murder of Philip and most
certainly had some hand in it.
Remoteness: De Corona De Falsa Legatione (Loeb
Classical Library, Vol
155)
Demosthenes: Funeral Speech
Demosthenes: I Olynthiacs, Philippics Minor Publicorations I-XVII and
XX
Demosthenes against Meidias, Androtion, Aristocrats, Timocrates, Aristogeiton
(Loeb classical Library, No 299)
Demosthenes Private Orations Volume 4
Demosthenes Private Orations Volume 5
Demosthenes Private Orations Volume 6
Demosthenis Orationes
Diodorus Siculus (Loeb 389)
The history of Diodorus contains the earliest work on Alexander we have.
It is contained in his book 17.
Diodorus Siculus (Library of History Ser. Books Xviii-Xix/No. L377)

Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical
Library 399)
Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical
Library, No 384)
Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical
Library, No 390)
Diodorus Siculus (http://www.hup.harvard.edu/Loeb/, No 422) Diodorus
Siculus Books I-II (Loeb classical
Library 297)
Diodorus Siculus Books
Ix-XII (http://www.hup.harvard.edu/Loeb/ 375)
Diodorus Siculus Ii/Books 11, 35-Iv, 58 (Loeb classical Library 303)
Herodotus
(c. 485-c.425 B.C.)
Herodotus of Halicarnassus wrote extensive accounts of his travels in
the ancient world. Alexander's views would have been influenced by these
writings.
Herodotus/Books I-II (Loeb
Classical Library, No. 117
Historiae
The Histories
The History: Herodotus
The History: Herodotus (Great Minds Series)
Isocrates
(436-338 B.C.)
Athenian orator best known for his widely read pamphlets. Isocrates has
been unfortunately dismissed as senile for his attempts to unite Greece
under one leader. This was not his Idea alone. Plato in his later years
and Aristotle had both come to the obvious conclusion that a united Greece,
under the rule of one benevolent dictator, would be best for the people.
Plato had tried his theory in Syracuse and Aristotle in Macedonia. Isocrates
was well aware when he urged Philip to lead the Hellenes in a war against
Persia, that Philip would never give up his central powers in Greece.
Isocrates Volume 1 (Lcl 209)
Isocrates Volume 3 (Lcl 209)
Pausanias
(second cen BCE.) Description Of Greece is more of an entertainment than
a serious source for Alexander studies.
Pausanias: Description of greece: Attica and Corinth; Books I And ii
Plutarch
(c.A.D.46-120) Plutarch of Chaeronea wrote a series of parallel lives.
His history of Alexander is tailored to fit his views of the life of Julius
Caesar. There are two essays on Alexander in his work entitled, Moralia.
Plutarch's Moralia (Lcl No. 222)
Polybius
(203-120?) The dates are a matter of debate.
The only value of Polybius to the study of Alexander is his criticism
of the historical battle of Issus as written by Callisthenes which is lost
to us.
Pseudo-Callisthenes
(Dates unknown)
Pseudo Callisthenes is a fictitious name for the writer of what are called,
The Alexander Romances.They are silly fables about Alexander, good for
a laugh. A nice antidote to take after reading Demosthenes.

Quintus Curtius
History of Alexander the Great
(Dates are hotly debated but these were written early in the Roman emperium.)
The History Of Alexander, by Curtius is essential reading. It is available
in the Penguin series translated by John Yardley with an introduction and
notes by Waldemar Heckel, one of the greatest Alexander scholars.
The History of Alexander (Penguin Classics)
Quintus Curtius: History of Alexander Books I-V (Loeb Classical Library
368) Vol. 1
Quintus Curtius: History of Alexander II Books Vi-X (Loeb Classical Library
369)Vol. 2 The Actes of the Greate Alexander
Contemporary works
Bosworth, A.B.
"Conquest and Empire", Cambridge,1988
An excellent book not intended as a biography; it focuses upon the years
of conquest. He leans towards the romantic views of Tarn.
Green, Peter
"Alexander of Macedon", California, 1991
The best modern book about Alexander. Green was Badian's pupil but brings
a much harder edge to his science. He gives us a biography which is history
without the unnecessary moralizing of Tarn.
Tarn,W.W.
"Alexander The Great", 2 vols., Cambridge, 1948
Tarn's brilliant scholarship is seriously flawed by his projection of
19th century Christian morality into the Hellenic world of the 4th century
B.C.. It seems almost an apology.
Wilcken, U.
"Alexander The Great", tr.G.C. Richards; new edn. with notes
by E.N. Borza, New York,1967.
Anyone seriously thinking of studying Alexander would be well advised
to begin with this book. The notes by Borza give a fine overview of the
field. Borza calls this a well balanced and sensible book.
Engels, Donald W.
"Alexander The Great And The Logistics Of The Macedonian Army.",
California, 1978.
The logistics of Alexander's campaign are overwhelming. Supplies and communications
of such scope are examined in this valuable book. It is very helpful in
pinning down dates more exactly.
Fuller, J.F.C.
"The Generalship Of Alexander The Great", Da Capo, 1960.
Good scholarship combined with a military viewpoint contribute new insights.
Alexander was, above all, a military man.
Fox, Robin Lane
"Alexander The Great", London, Penguin, 1973
A fine book by an eminently qualified scholar with a classicist's viewpoint.
Additional Reading
It is not possible to have the slightest understanding of Alexander simply
by studying books about him. One cannot understand the fourth century B.C.
without understanding the fifth, and so on. It is not possible to to have
a comprehension of a Macedonian with out understanding Macedonia and it's
culture. To do this requires some knowledge of the peoples around them.
The Mollosians and through them, The Illyrians. Alexander was half Mollosian
Epirote. The following are good background reading.
Hammond, N.G.L.
"The Macedonian State", oxford, 1989
A complete history of Macedonia from the earliest times to 167 B.C. when
it became a part of the Roman empire.
Errington, R.Malcom
" A History of Macedonia (Hellenistic Culture and Society, 5)".,tran.
Catherine Errington, Cal., 1990.
A complete history with good details on the family of Alexander and the
culture of Macedonia.
Note: Both Hammond and Errington are required for any comprehension of
fourth century Macedonia.
For the story of the formation of Macedonian culture it is necessary to
leave the realm of history and enter pre-history. The following are some
good books on the subject. There is a great deal of disagreement in this
lively and interesting field.
Cavalli-Sforza and Cavalli Sforza
"The great Human Diasporas: The History of Diversity and Evolution".,trn.,
Sarah Thorne, Addison Wesley, 1995
Diakonoff, I.M.
"Early Antiquity", Chicago, 1991
Drews, Robert
"The Coming of The Greeks", Princeton 1988.
Renfrew, Colin
"Archaeology and Language", Cambridge, 1987
FOR ENTERTAINMENT
When studying Alexander, one must eventually come to Mary Renault who
made ancient history popular. We are indebted to her for this. I have once
seen her quoted in a scientific paper as a secondary source, but she remains
ex cathedra as a non academic. Her books are well researched both from
primary and secondary sources. They are, however in most cases fictionalized,
which classes them as infotainment. I recommend them for fun.
Renault,
Mary, "Fire From Heaven", Vintage Books, New York,
1977
This is a biography of Alexander in fiction form. It represents the authors
speculations, but is based upon solid research.
Renault, Mary, "The Persian Boy", Vintage Books, New York, 1988
This is a touching story of the supposed relationship between Alexander
and the Persian eunuch, Bagoas. It is not based upon solid fact but is
a lovely story.
Renault, Mary, "The Nature Of Alexander", Pantheon, New York,
1975
This is not a novel, but rather the author's speculations upon the personality
of Alexander. It is most thought provoking.


This is one of the areas of ancient history where we suffer, not from
too little information, but rather from too much misinformation. The
reader must beware. Using this bibliography should be helpful. Remember
to be critical, and analyze the sources. Many are incorrect; the reader
must make the choices. It is the brief life of Alexander with its dramatic
and glamorous background which engendered it's own obfuscation. His is
the story of a man, exceptional undoubtedly, but a man none the less. Since
his early death, he has achieved a world wide celebrity which only a few
others through the ages can claim. At once his life began to be encased
in ever increasing layers of fantasy. Each generation only adds to the
enigma which it purports to explain. The web is a tangled one indeed.
The truth lies at the core. To reach it one must read selectively and
critically always keeping in mind the constant shifting and changing values
of humankind and that often our own actions would be as incomprehensible
to Alexander as his sometimes seem to us. It was in another time and another
place that this man lived. Other values and other ethics moved him as
surely as ours move us.

...........................Kallistos
Alexandros

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