Alexander the Great

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What can we learn from the rise and mysterious death of the ancient world's greatest conqueror? An acclaimed biographer reconstructs the life of Alexander the Great in a magisterial portrait. Over two millennia later, he remains a household name, his life an adventure story that spanned the ancient world. His early death at thirty-three keeps his legacy alive, interpreted differently across ages: as a knightly exemplar in the Middle Ages, a Renaissance icon, and even resembling an English gentleman by the early twentieth century. But who was he in his own time? The biography assesses Alexander's life against the values of his era, revealing a Macedonian prince who was inquisitive and fascinated by science, arts, and the epic Iliad. As his empire expanded from Greece and Macedonia to Egypt, Persia, and India, he respected the traditions of his subjects and ruled with careful judgment. However, his career also had a dark side; he glorified war and committed acts of cruelty while building the largest empire of his time. The mystery surrounding his death persists—did he succumb to natural causes or was he killed by his marshals? Understanding his life may provide clues to this enigma, as the author ventures to solve the puzzle that has eluded many for so long.