What are some examples of the most common generalized conclusions about Alexander's personality, character, and objectives? I'm wondering which famous authors you think of and their basic view of Alexander. Just list some names and a short summary.
Example:
-Tarn and his theory of Alexander's 'Brotherhood of Mankind'.
Famous Portrayals of Alexander: Ancient or Modern
Moderator: pothos moderators
- rocktupac
- Pezhetairos (foot soldier)
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:52 am
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
- Contact:
Famous Portrayals of Alexander: Ancient or Modern
Last edited by rocktupac on Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I can add six off the top of my head (two ancient, four modern, and one not an author but a movie director):
Curtius: Alexander the genius ruined by good fortune
Arrian: Alexander the brilliantly pragmatic general
Mary Renault: Alexander the passionate, tragic hero
Peter Green: Alexander the angry, overambitious, murderous despot
Robin Lane Fox: Alexander the romantic adventurer
Oliver Stone: Alexander the Oedipus-complex sufferer
It's kind of neat just lining them all up like that. Shows you that there are as many Alexanders as there are people who interpret him...
Happy New Year all,
Karen
Curtius: Alexander the genius ruined by good fortune
Arrian: Alexander the brilliantly pragmatic general
Mary Renault: Alexander the passionate, tragic hero
Peter Green: Alexander the angry, overambitious, murderous despot
Robin Lane Fox: Alexander the romantic adventurer
Oliver Stone: Alexander the Oedipus-complex sufferer
It's kind of neat just lining them all up like that. Shows you that there are as many Alexanders as there are people who interpret him...
Happy New Year all,
Karen
- rocktupac
- Pezhetairos (foot soldier)
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:52 am
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
- Contact:
Thanks for the reply Karen, I was anxiously waiting for the first response. It is interesting when you actually list them, the different interpretations of his life. And I firmly believe that everyone has their own perception of Alexander, whether they're ancient or modern; it's inescapable. Trying to write an unbiased history of his life is, dare I say, impossible.
I hope others will add to the list. I'm curious not only about the author's interpetation, but how the readers (i.e. contributors to pothos.org) interpret the works as well.
I hope others will add to the list. I'm curious not only about the author's interpetation, but how the readers (i.e. contributors to pothos.org) interpret the works as well.