Cassandra Reads

Alexander the Great is a historical figure that I have always found fascinating (other 'favored' historical figures include Cleopatra, Elizabeth I and Marie Antoinette - it's odd that Alexander is the only male in that list!).

This book reads more like a novel than a nonfiction book. I'm not sure if the author would see that as a complement or not, but it's meant to be one. I think part of that is that this book has no footnotes, which is very strange for a nonfiction book. It was also written in the 1970s, so the 'rules' for nonfiction writing were likely different than they are now. There are some block quotes, which shows this book to be nonficton rather than an historical novel.

The main focus of this book is Alexander's life after he becomes king (although he never called himself that). The book opens with a wedding and a murder. The man who is murdered is Phillip, Alexander's father and the reason for the murder is thought to be the wedding since the wedding links Epirus and Macedonia together. A uncle and niece are getting married and a wife will be set aside because of it. The wife is Olympias, Alexander's mother, who is no longer 'needed' with the marriage of her daughter to Olympias' own brother.

After Phillip's death, there is some debate as to who will become king after him. The clear choice are Alexander, as his eldest son, but he isn't the only choice. Alexander gains the throne though speed.

This book also shows why Alexander is considered one of the greatest military minds in history. He was a master of psychological warfare and often won battles others would have seen as hopeless.

It was Alexander who 'gave' the Greek culture to the East and the effects of Alexander's rule could be seen in his empire for centuries, although the empire lasted barely 100 years after his death.