Alexander the Great : A Very Short Introduction

In 336 BCE Alexander the Great became King of Macedon. His rapid rise from leader of an alliance of Greek cities to Pharaoh of Egypt and King of Persia became legendary. But what do we really know about Alexander? 

In this Very Short Introduction, Hugh Bowden looks behind the usual historical accounts of Alexander's life and career and instead focuses on evidence from Alexander's own time, including letters, diaries, and official records. In doing so, Bowden explores both the profound influence Alexander's life had on our cultural and historical understanding of the period, as well as the controversy he continues to generate in the present day.

Hugh Bowden is Professor in Ancient History at King's College London. His books include Mystery Cults in the Ancient World (Thames & Hudson, 2010) and Classical Athens & the Delphic Oracle: Divination and Democracy (CUP, 2005).

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