(P/B) THE GENIUS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Παρουσίαση

In what respects was Alexander 'Great'? It is an exciting task for a historian to answer that question, and in this fascinating study Nicholas Hammond undertakes it with enthusiasm. His thorough acquaintance with the ancient sources enables him to judge whether the many recorded incidents of Alexander's brilliant life are drawn from reliable contemporaries or fictional writers.
As a commander of men of many races, Alexander was and is incomparable. As a statesman he envisaged, and to some extent created, an ecumenical kingdom which rose above race and nation and which enjoyed peace and prosperity, extending from his birthplace in Macedonia to the borders of Kashmir. His intellect and charismatic personality so fascinated those he conquered that they served in his army and administration and adopted him as the hero of their quasi-mythical romances. We have much to learn today from this genius of a man who died having achieved so much at the age of thirty-two.
Nicholas Hammond was Professor of Greek at Bristol University and an Honorary Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. His many other books include Alexander the Great: king, commander and statesman, and Philip of Macedon. (From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

Preface
List of illustrations
Bibliography
I. The boyhood of Alexander
II. The world of Philip as king and Alexander as prince
1. The setting of Alexander's birth and boyhood
2. The Macedonian State
III. The influence of Philip
1. From weakness to strength in 346
2. Philip's policy towards the city-states
3. Relations between Philip and his grown-up son
4. The invasion of Asia and the death of Philip
IV. Alexander establishes his position in Macedonia, Greece and the Balkans
1. The succession and the trial of conspirators
2. The funeral of Philip and the march to Corinth
3. Arrangements in the kingdom
4. The campaign in Thrace and the organisation of the empire
5. The campaign in Illyria
V. Sources of information, a rising in Greece and preparations for Persia
1. The sources of information for the Balkan campaign
2. The revolt and capture of Thebes, and the sources of information
3. The judgement passed on Thebes by the Council of the Greeks
4. Alexander prepares for the campaign against Persia
5. Coinage and culture in 336-335
VI. The crossing of the Hellespont and the first victory
1. Arrangements in Europe and calculations for Asia
2. The crossing of the Hellespont
3. The battle of the river Granicus
VII. The winning of Asia Minor
1. Alexander's policy and advance to Ephesus
2. The war at sea and the siege of Halicarnassus
3. The division of forces and the advance of Alexander to Pamphylia
4. Anatolia and Gordium
VIII. The battle of Issus and the capture of the Mediterranean coast
1. War at sea and the advance to Tarsus
2. The campaign of Issus
3. The winning of the coast and the siege of Tyre
4. The advance to Egypt and the establishment of thalassocracy
IX. Advance to the East and the battle of Gaugamela
1. Events in Egypt in early 331
2. The campaign and the battle of Gaugamela
X. Advance to Persepolis and the situation in Greece
1. Babylon, Susa and military reorganisation
2. Persepolis and the future of Persia
3. The situation in Greece
XI. The death of Darius and the decision to advance to the east
1. The advance to Ecbatana and the pursuit of Darius
2. Alexander's concept of 'Asia' and the preliminaries to the advance eastwards
XII. From Parthyaea to Kabul in Afghanistan
1. Forward planning by Alexander
2. Campaigning in Afghanistan
3. The trial of Philotas and others
4. Operations in Afghanistan and Baluchistan
XIII. The advance to the river Jaxartes
1. The system of supply and the crossing of the Hindu Kush
2. The crossing of the Oxus, the Branchidae and the failure of Bessus
3. Risings in Sogdiana and Bactria in 329
XIV. The subjugation of the northeastern area in 328-327
1. Operations against rebels and the Cleitus episode
2. Operations in the northeastern area
3. The conspiracy of the Pages
XV. The Indus valley
1. The advance to and the crossing of the river Indus
2. The battle of the Hydaspes
3. Advance to and halt at the Hyphasis
XVI. Southern Asia
1. To the delta of the Indus
2. The conquest of the southern regions
3. Southwestern Asia
XVII. The Kingdom of Asia and the Macedonians
1. The organisation of the Kingdom of Asia
2. Macedonians and Asians
XVIII. The plans and personality of Alexander
1. Arrangements affecting the Macedonians and Macedonia
2. Arrangements affecting the city-states
3. Preparations for the Mediterranean campaign
4. Events leading to the death of Alexander
5. Alexander's beliefs and personal qualities
Appendix of references to the author's studies
Notes on illustrations
Chronological table
Index