Basic Books For Alexander Studies

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Basic Books For Alexander Studies

Historical Thread

A listing of the standard texts in Alexander studies

Bibliography for Alexander Studies

Aeschines

Athenian orator and statesman.c. 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 five 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.

Demosthenes: 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

(First century B.C.)

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)

Diadorus Siculus (Loeb 389)

Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical Library 399)

Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical Library, No 384)

Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical Library, No 390)

Diodorus Siculus (Loeb Classical Library, No 422)>p> Diodorus Siculus Books I-II (Loeb classical Library 297)

Diodorus Siculus Books Ix-XII (Loeb classical Library 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.B.C.) Description Of Greece is more of an entertainment than a serious source for Alexander studies.

Pausanias: Description of greece: Attica and Corinth; Books I Andii

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

(?)

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.

History of Alexander the Great

Quintus Curtius

(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>p> 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 calssicsist'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 understand 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 some 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.

Created by:
* Kallistos Alexandros, Feb 28, 2004 - 18:19