Аннотация

Alexander the Great, arguably the most exciting figure from antiquity, waged war as a Homeric hero and lived as one, conquering native peoples and territories on a superhuman scale. From the time he invaded Asia in 334 to his death in 323, he expanded the Macedonian empire from Greece in the west to Asia Minor, the Levant, Egypt, Central Asia and "India" (Pakistan and Kashmir) in the east. Although many other kings and generals forged empires, Alexander produced one that was without parallel, even if it was short-lived.
Contents:
Preface vii
Acknowledgments ix
List of Maps and Figures xi
Ancient Works and Abbreviations xiii
Figure 1. Facial reconstruction of Philip II. xv
Figure 2. Head of Alexander the Great (Pella). xvi
Map 1. Greece. xvii
Map 2. Macedonia. xviii
Map 3. The Balkan area. xix
Map 4. Macedonia’s frontiers and Philip’s mines. xx
Map 5. Alexander’s empire. xxi
Introduction: The Architect and the Master Builder 1
1. Greece and Macedonia 7
2. Philip II and the Rise of Macedonia 25
3. The New Player in Greek Politics 47
4. The Gathering War Clouds 67
5. The Downfall of Greece 81
6. Philip’s Assassination and Legacy 103
7. Alexander’s Early Kingship—and Persia 121
8. From Europe to Asia 139
9. Alexander: Master Strategist and Emerging God 163
10. The Fall of the Persian Empire 185
11. The War in Afghanistan 209
12. Passage to India 231
13. Retreat from India 251
14. Alexander’s Final Years 273
15. Death in Babylon and Alexander’s Legacy 293
Appendix: The Sources of Information 311
Timeline 321
Cast of Principal Characters 327
Notes 335
Bibliography 365
Select Index 383