Textbooks, Readings, and Reserves
Most of the required readings for the class will be from the following books:
Pierre Briant, Alexander the Great: Man of Action, Man of Spirit (Harry N. Abrams, 1996)
A short introduction to Alexander for the general reader, with many figures and plates illustrating aspects of the Alexander-tradition. This is the best book to read first.
Paul Cartledge, Alexander the Great: The Hunt for a New Past (The Overlook Press, 2004)
The most recent scholarly account, very reliable and sound in its judgements, by a professor of Greek History at Cambridge University. Accessibly written too -- perhaps because it was timed to coincide with the release of Oliver Stone's movie Alexander.
Michael Wood, In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: A Journey from Greece to Asia (University of California Press, 1997)
Tie-in to the BBC-TV series in which the dashing young historian Michael Wood follows along the route of Alexander's expedition to the east, encountering peoples, customs, and landscapes not much changed since Alexander's time -- as well as some distant memories of the man himself. Lavish illustration in color.
Richard Stoneman (trans.), The Greek Alexander Romance (Penguin Books, 1991)
Translation, preceded by a very informative Introduction, of the entertaining and (largely) legendary account of Alexander's adventures. One of the most widely-disseminated and influential works of late classical Greek literature, and the chief source of knowledge about Alexander during the Middle Ages.
Plutarch, The Age of Alexander: Nine Greek Lives (Penguin Books, 1973)
From this book you will read the lively biography of Alexander by Plutarch (ca. 46-120 AD), one of the 50 Parallel Lives he wrote about famous Greeks and Romans (Alexander's "pair" was Julius Caesar).
James Romm, Alexander the Great: Selections from Arrian, Diodorus, Plutarch, and Quintus Curtius (Hackett, 2005)
Just what it says: selections from four of the five main surviving ancient written sources on Alexander, with introductions and annotations to provide context. This book provides a quick taste of the very different styles and purposes of these key authors.
- Copies of all these books have been ordered for you at the Brown University Bookstore
Some additional readings in digital form will also be posted here for downloading. They will include:
Plutarch, The Age of Alexander: Nine Greek Lives (Penguin Books, 1973)
From this book you will read the lively biography of Alexander by Plutarch (ca. 46-120 AD), one of the 50 Parallel Lives he wrote about famous Greeks and Romans (Alexander's "pair" was Julius Caesar).
