This book investigates the kinds and quantities of treasure seized by Alexander the Great, from gold and silver to land and slaves, and reassesses the widespread belief that the Macedonian king used the profits of war to improve the ancient economies he conquered. It reveals what became of the king's wealth and what Alexander's redistribution of these vast resources can tell us about his much-disputed policies and personality.
War, the most profitable economic activity in the ancient world, transferred wealth from the vanquished to the victor. Invasions, sieges, massacres, annexations, and mass deportations all redistributed property with dramatic consequences for kings and commoners alike. No conqueror ever captured more people or property in so short a lifetime than Alexander the Great in the late fourth century BC. For all its savagery, the creation of Alexander's empire has generally been hailed as a positive economic event for all concerned. Even those harshly critical of Alexander today tend to praise his plundering of Persia as a means of liberating the moribund resources of the East. To test this popular interpretation, The Treasures of Alexander the Great investigates the kinds and quantities of treasure seized by the Macedonian king, from gold and silver to land and slaves. It reveals what became of the king's wealth and what Alexander's redistribution of these vast resources can tell us about his much-disputed policies and personality. Though Alexander owed his vast fortune to war, battle also distracted him from competently managing his spoils and much was wasted, embezzled, deliberately destroyed, or idled unprofitably. The Treasures of Alexander the Great provides a long-overdue and accessible account of Alexander's wealth and its enormous impact on the ancient world.
Manuscripts have played a crucial role in the educational practices of virtually all cultures that have a history of using them. As learning and teaching tools, manuscripts become primary witnesses for reconstructing and studying didactic and research activities and methodologies from elementary levels to the most advanced. The present volume investigates the relation between manuscripts and educational practices focusing on four particular research topics: educational settings: teachers, students and their manuscripts; organising knowledge: syllabi; exegetical practices: annotations; modifying tradition: adaptations. The volume offers a number of case studies stretching across geophysical boundaries from Western Europe to South-East Asia, with a time span ranging from the second millennium BCE to the twentieth century CE.
Alexander the Great: A New History combines traditional scholarship with contemporary research to offer an innovative treatment of one of history's most famous figures. Written by leading experts in the field Looks at a wide range of diverse topics including Alexander's religious views, his entourage during his campaign East, his sexuality, the influence of his legacy, and his representations in art and cinema Discusses Alexander's influence, from his impact on his contemporaries to his portrayals in recent Hollywood films A highly informed and enjoyable resource for students and interested general readers
Few figures in history have left a legacy of such unparalleled achievements as Alexander the Great. This catalogue sheds light on the legend of Alexander the Great and explores the historical and cultural context of this celebrated figure in Greek history. During his reign, Alexander united the warring City States of Greece, conquered the Persian Empire, and expanded the reign of his empire to the borders of India. While the exhibition included depictions of Alexander, it also painted a vivid portrait of Macedonian life through ancient artifacts of the time. Unique to this catalogue is full illustration and commentary on a collection of rare and precious artifacts recently excavated in Vergina from the tomb of an ancient queen known as "The Lady of Aigai". These finds - including gold plates, golden fibulae, an ornate set of matching gold jewelry, and decorations from a dress - attest to the elegant and lavish lifestyle of the ancient Macedonian noblewomen. Contributors to the exhibition catalogue include, in addition to the curator, Frank L. Holt, Professor of History, University of Houston; Polyxeni Adam-Veleni, Director, 27th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Angeliki Kottaridi, Archaeologist, 17th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Maria Lilibaki-Akamati, Director, 17th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Eleni Trakosopoulou, Director, 16th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture; and Maria Tsimibidou-Avloniti, Archaeologist, 16th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
