Course Description

This course has a deliberately tight focus on a single historical figure, Alexander the Great; but it uses him as a point of departure for exploring a wide range of problems and approaches that typify the field of Classical Studies. You will be encouraged to think critically about a variety of sources of evidence from the ancient world (e.g., textual, archaeological, artistic, numismatic), and from later tradition too (e.g., literature, legends, and representations from all over the medieval world). Some of the topics we will consider include, for example:

— the historiographical problems of establishing his actual deeds and intentions (the “real” Alexander — if there can be such a thing) — the geographical and logistical factors involved in his military campaigns — the lasting impact of his image upon ancient artistic production and royal iconography — his long-term impact on the varied peoples incorporated, briefly, within his empire

But the course will take us far beyond Alexander's own world, to examine his legacy and impact: — what the Romans made of him — the Medieval Alexander tradition — his importance in post-renaissance western art — his current appeal to Hollywood movie-makers such as Oliver Stone — his powerful and very real significance in modern Greek and Macedonian politics

How knowledge of Alexander has been transmitted and distorted, used and abused, provides a fascinating case study in the formation and continuous reinterpretation of the western classical tradition. Alexander's story is wonderfully romantic, and the impact he had upon his world was profound. Yet his importance and interest stem just as much from the perennial fascination he has exerted over the ages. He is a powerful symbolic figure because he can be (and has been) taken as 'meaning', or 'standing for', so many quite different things, and thus continues to be culturally contested. Not many individuals in world history have assumed this guise of 'Man for All Seasons': you should reach the end of this course with some appreciation of why Alexander did.

In other words, this course aims to provide a detailed approach to the legacy and impact of one of history's most incomparably famous, epoch-changing figures. Its focus is not so much on the 'historical facts' about the 'real' Alexander, as on the Alexander-traditions that developed in Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and early modern times. These serve as ways of approaching significant issues concerning the reception of Antiquity, the malleability of traditions, the agency of 'Great Men' versus collective entities in the writing of history, and the various forms of cultural production generated from the image and achievements of such a powerfully symbolic figure as Alexander.

The course is based around illustrated lectures, supplemented by the occasional use of excerpts from documentary films and movies, and by in-class discussions. You will read about Alexander in selections from several ancient historians and biographers, an early medieval romance-legend, modern scholarly studies, and a novel about Alexander. Grades will be assigned on the basis of two short writing assignments, a term project paper, midterm and final exams, and general class participation (including involvement in class discussions or presentations, occasional pop quizzes, attendance). For details see Requirements.