Alexander the Great Historical Sources in Translation

by Heckel, Waldemar; Yardley, J. C.

• ISBN13: 9780631228202
• ISBN10: 0631228209
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-01-09
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This source book presents new translations of the most important ancient writings on the life and legacy of Alexander the Great. Provides comprehensive coverage of Alexander, from his family background to his military conquests, death and legacy. Includes substantial extracts of texts written by historians, geographers, biographers and military writers. A general introduction and introductions to each chapter set the sources in context. Also includes a bibliography of modern works, visual sources and a map of Alexander's expedition.

Author Biography

Waldemar Heckel is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Calgary. He was a founding editor of the Ancient History Bulletin and is the author of numerous books and articles, including The Last Days and Testament of Alexander the Great (1988), The Marshals of Alexander’s Empire (1992), and The Wars of Alexander the Great (2002).

J. C. Yardley is Professor of Classics at the University of Ottawa and a past President of the Classical Association of Canada. His publications include translations of Quintus Curtius’ History of Alexander, Livy 31–40, and Justin’s Epitome of Trogus. His latest work is Justin and Pompeius Trogus (2003).

Table of Contents

List of Plates	viii
List of Abbreviations	ix
Preface	xi
Map: Alexander's Campaigns, 334-323 BC	xii
Stemma 1: The Family of Philip II and Alexander	xiv
Stemma 2: The Family of Olympias	xiv
Translator's Note	xv
Introduction	xvi
I Macedonian Background	1	(18)
Early History of Macedonia	1	(6)
Macedonians and Greeks: Language, Culture, Attitudes	7	(5)
The King, Aristocracy, and Macedonian Institutions	12	(7)
II Philip II, Father of Alexander the Great	19	(11)
Philip's Marriages	20	(1)
Philip's Death	21	(7)
A Comparison of Philip and Alexander	28	(2)
III Alexander's Family, Youth, Appearance, and Character	30	(24)
Alexander's Parents and Mythical Ancestors	30	(1)
Alexander's Siblings: A Warlike Half-Sister and a Mentally Defective Half-Brother	31	(4)
Alexander's Education	35	(1)
Alexander's Body	36	(3)
Alexander's Attitude towards Sex	39	(3)
Alexander's Drinking, Personal Habits, and Health	42	(3)
Alexander's Character, Intellect, and Moderation	45	(1)
Alexander and Bucephalas	45	(9)
IV The Persians and their Empire	54	(18)
The Empire before Alexander's Accession	54	(2)
Persian Wealth and Displays of Opulence	56	(9)
Death of Darius III	65	(7)
V Alexander and the Greeks	72	(18)
The Panhellenic Crusade	72	(1)
Alexander's Punishment of those Greeks who Opposed Him	73	(4)
Greek Ambassadors to the Great King Captured by Alexander	77	(2)
Resistance to Alexander in his Absence	79	(8)
Alexander and the Greek Cities of Asia Minor	87	(3)
VI The Army and War	90	(85)
Financial Resources and Military Strength	90	(3)
Major Battles	93	(46)
Sieges and Smaller Battles	139	(36)
VII Alexander and the Barbarians	175	(14)
Alexander Adopts Persian Dress and Practices	175	(3)
The Attempt to Introduce Proskynesis	178	(4)
Mixed Marriages	182	(3)
The Epigoni and the Appointment of Orientals in the Army	185	(1)
The Persian Seal	186	(1)
The Tomb of Cyrus the Great	187	(1)
Macedonian Reaction to Alexander's Orientalism	188	(1)
VIII Alexander and Women	189	(19)
Alexander and his "Mothers": Olympias, Ada, and Sisygambis	189	(3)
The Captive Persian Queens	192	(4)
The Amazon Queen	196	(3)
Timocleia of Thebes	199	(1)
The Wife of Spitamenes	200	(2)
Alexander and Roxane	202	(3)
Alexander and Cleophis	205	(3)
IX Gods and Heroes	208	(15)
Imitation and Emulation of Achilles, Heracles, and Dionysus	208	(6)
The Gordian Knot	214	(3)
Amun (Ammon) and Alexander's "Divinity"	217	(6)
X Alexander and the Macedonians: Disaffection, Conspiracy, and Mutiny	223	(49)
General Account of Alexander's Savagery	223	(1)
Alexander the Lyncestian	224	(3)
The Elimination of Philotas and Parmenion	227	(16)
Cleitus	243	(7)
Callisthenes and the Hermolaus Conspiracy	250	(9)
Coenus Opposes Alexander at the Hyphasis (Beas) River	259	(3)
Rivalry between Craterus and Hephaestion	262	(1)
Harpalus, Alexander's Imperial Treasurer	263	(3)
The "Opis Mutiny"	266	(6)
XI Alexander's Final Days, Final Plans, and the Division of Power after his Death	272	(22)
Death of Alexander	272	(8)
Rumors of Poisoning	280	(10)
The Hypomnemata and the Final Plans of Alexander	290	(1)
Alexander's Will and the Division of Power after his Death	291	(3)
XII Alexander and the Romans	294	(9)
A Roman View of Alexander's Conquests	294	(1)
Did the Romans Send an Embassy to Alexander?	294	(2)
Could Alexander have Conquered the Romans?	296	(3)
Roman Imitation and Emulation of Alexander	299	(4)
XIII Cities Founded by Alexander	303	(8)
Alexandria in Egypt	306	(1)
Alexandria in the Hindu Kush (Parapamisus)	307	(1)
Alexandria-Eschate (Alexandria on the Iaxartes)	308	(1)
Bucephala and Nicaea on the Hydaspes Uhelum)	309	(1)
Alexandria in Carmania	309	(1)
Alexandria in Susiana	309	(1)
Foundations Amongst the Cossaeans	310	(1)
Glossary	311	(4)
Bibliography	315	(12)
Index	327