Product Description

Although written over four hundred years after Alexander's death, Arrian's account of the man and his achievements is the most reliable we have. Arrian's own experience as a military commander gave him unique insights into the life of the world's greatest conqueror. He tells of Alexander's violent suppression of the Theban rebellion, his defeat of Persia and campaigns through Egypt and Babylon - establishing new cities and destroying others in his path. While Alexander emerges as a charismatic leader, Arrian succeeds brilliantly in creating an objective portrait of a man of boundless ambition, who was exposed to the temptations of power.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #88122 in Books
• Published on: 1971-07-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

About the Author
The details of Arrian's life (c.90AD] are uncertain, though the shape of it indicates a man of wide and varied talents. He was governor to the Emperor Hadrian, the author of a number of works of non-fiction and an Athenian citizen. In 145 he rose tobecome a chief magistrate of Athens and thereby part of the governing body of the city. His date of death is not known. De Selincourt was an acclaimed translator of ancient classics.

Customer Reviews

Good translation of the best ancient source on Alexander
Arrian's astute and detailed account of the campaigns of Alexander is the most useful surviving ancient source about his life. Anyone interested in Alexander's life will find the book fascinating, although Arrian's views reflect the politics of his time.

This translation is pretty accurate and comprehensive, better than any other I've read in English. The only thing to watch out for is that Arrian makes political points against Alexander as an indirect attack on Imperial Rome's government.

Because of this, you will find dubious references to some war crime events that probably never occurred. Compare with other sources for a fuller picture of Alexander's life and nature ('The Nature of Alexander' by Mary Renault is an excellent analysis and compilation).

The Most Reliable Source on Alexander the Great
Written some 4 hundred years after the time of Alexander using the diaries of Ptolemy as the main sources of research, not only is Arrian considered the one of the first serious historians, he was also a roman general and later became a senator. A must-read for anyone interested in the life & times of Alexander the Great.

Good copy of the text
This work is hard to review, as it is just a translation. The account Arrian gives is pro-Alexander and a biased account on the truth, but this is just how it is. The book itself is very helpful, with good footnotes for details, and a helpful map section at the back. This is very useful for studying the text, and as a reference to Arrians account.