pothos.org

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'.

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

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.

Victor Davis Hanson: the alcoholic teenage Hitler. Sadly, I think that's close to a word-for-word quote.

Not so very modern, but-
German historian J. Droysen
Innocent, positive Alexander- sometimes even naive.