Alexander the Great became king of Macedon in 336 BC, when he was only 20 years old, and died at the age of 32, twelve years later. During his reign he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire that had ever existed, leading his army from Greece to Pakistan, and from the Libyan desert to the steppes of Central Asia. His meteoric career, as leader of an alliance of Greek cities, Pharaoh of Egypt, and King of Persia, had a profound effect on the world he moved through. Even in his lifetime his achievements became legendary and in the centuries that following his story was told and retold throughout Europe and the East. Greek became the language of power in the Eastern Mediterranean and much of the Near East, as powerful Macedonian dynasts carved up Alexander's empire into kingdoms of their own, underlaying the flourishing Hellenistic civilization that emerged after his death. But what do we really know about Alexander? In this Very Short Introduction, Hugh Bowden goes behind the usual historical accounts of Alexander's life and career. Instead, he focuses on the evidence from Alexander's own time -- letters from officials in Afghanistan, Babylonian diaries, records from Egyptian temples -- to try and understand how Alexander appeared to those who encountered him. In doing so he also demonstrates the profound influence the legends of his life have had on our historical understanding and the controversy they continue to generate worldwide. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About the Author
Hugh Bowden is Professor of Ancient History at King's College London. He is an internationally recognised expert on Alexander the Great, and also on religious experience in the Greek world. He is co-editor of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook on Ancient Mystery Cults (*OUP). His books include Mystery Cults in the Ancient World (2010), and Classical Athens & the Delphic Oracle: Divination and Democracy (2005). He has also published many articles and book chapters on ancient Greek religion and on Alexander the Great.

Reviews
Bowden covers all the highlights of Alexander's career * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo *
It's an interesting read for those who do know something of Alexander, as well as for initiates * Adrian Spooner, Classics for All *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198706151
Author Hugh Bowden
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 126g
Dimensions(mm) 174mm * 111mm * 8mm