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In Robin Lane Fox's "Alexander the Great" he writes: "[A Greek visitor] was still in a world of Greek gods and sacrifices [speaking about in Macedonia], of Greek plays and Greek language, though the natives might speak Greek with a northern accent which hardened 'ch ' into 'g' , 'th' ...

I'm wondering which book all of you think is by far, the most comprehensive book on Alexander out there. (By modern or ancient, all opinions welcome) Which book has the most information about Alexander, his family, his men, the battles, the logistics, terrain, weapons, various enemies, etc? I'm just...

While Alexander was alive, I would argue that Hephaistion was the strongest. Perhaps not with respect earned or even militarily, but he undoubtedly had the most influence on Alexander and his decision making. (When his opinion could have been added, that is) Like Alexander's seers, who also had an u...

Oh yeah, there's so much that we don't really know about Alexander that allows us to develop our own personal image of him, including what he looked like. Every person, I'm sure, has interpreted everything about his life differently. If we were to ask 100 historians to draw a picture of what they th...

From studying the readings, busts, coins, and other ancient artworks, I imagine Alexander would be between 5'6" and 5'8", muscular, fair skin (prone to ruddiness), with light brown hair (wavy and lion-like). Many like to picture Alexander as 6' or taller with extraordinary attributes. The ...

Thank you Dean for the inspiring words and response.

I'm always curious about what people think Alexander (or any ancient ruler) did on a daily basis. When one thinks about it, the amount of knowledge we have about Alexander, or his day to day activities, is really limited. I realize there are legitimate reasons for this and some of the answers we see...

I suppose being called 'the Great' and having it stick depends on who is writing the history and how it survives. In my opinion, emperor Augustus is one which deserves the epithet 'the Great' but for some reason doesn't have it. Could be he was just too humble (sort of) in his declining years. It's ...

Fo Zeus's sake jan it's just a topic in a message board post, nothing personal or final.

Wine and the absence of moderation has become a topic almost synonymous with Alexander and Macedonia, and partly Greeks for that matter. We have read countless authors, both ancient and modern, which tell of excessive drinking in Alexander's court and Macedonia's steady consumption of wine. But have...

There were many recorded bouts of Alexander's intense sulking after an event, usually either caused by drinking or his soldiers. Do you think these emotional outbursts were genuine in nature or were they simply tactical moves used more for persuasion? I tend to think that Alexander was genuinely ups...

We may also add that some believe he was possibly wounded in the neck and from then on carried his head slightly tilted (although the source escapes me). But this again is just speculation. I tend to believe it merely a habit as others have stated.

Definitely oracles have been used politically as propaganda by great leaders and cunning minds in the past. Despite his actual beliefs, what Alexander did at Delphi and at Siwah was great for his image. He used the readings as justification for his invasion of Persia and his destiny to conquer. Ther...

And I think that's evident, marcus, with Darius showing up for the Issus battle in person after Alexander defeats a Persian army at the Granicus. There is no reason at the time really for Darius to have a personal concern with Alexander. We have to remember that at this time he was little more than ...

Personally, I think Alexander would have had a very agrreable personality, and to accompy that a sharp wit. However, it might be assumed that as he gained more power and responsibility (moving further away from Macedonia and adopting Persian customs) Alexander might have showed a humerous side less ...