Search for Alexander, the exhibition book

[jan]

I found a great book on the discovery of the tomb of Vergina, entitled Search for Alexander, the exhibition. Apparently, five years after the discovery of the Tomb of Vergina, an exhibition was held in several national art museums, and this book is a compilation of all the artifacts discovered and for loan. This is not to be confused with a book by Robin Lane Fox with a similar title.Another book I found for children is in comic book form written and drawn by Rob Shone, Rosen Publishing Group. This is a very entertaining book, condensing Alexander's life to a worthwhile effort in comic book style. The cover portrait is a bit aged to my way of thinking for a children's book, but the comic sketches are all fairly youthful, looking like the famous cover on the aforementioned Search book, the exhibition.And finally, a book by Judith Tarr entitled Queen of the Amazons, a spoof on reincarnation, and it is pure fun and fantasy. However, as it is primarily a story taken from the point of view of the latter days of Alexander, it is interesting to read her versions of a charred and burned Persepolis, the beautiful summer palace at Ecbatana, and of course, the hills of Susa. This book is tongue in cheek but speaks well of Alexander. I don't think students of history will particularly like this book, but I find it a bit fun, poking fun at those who make believe that they could have been Alexander. It begins with a child who is without a soul, and naturally, I knew from the start what that would lead to as it is a foregone conclusion that the daughter of a Queen cannot remain forever without a soul. Not wishing to do anything but intrigue, the soulless child hitches herself to Alexander tighter than a tick in a dog, and you can pretty well imagine what happens next.However, I think Judith Tarr has seriously damaged her credibility with Alexanderphiles.

[jan]

The exhibition book contains several busts of Alexander,mostly the youthful Alexander. A passage about the discovery of the helmet, cuirasse, and greaves really astounded me as it corroborates my own statements about my feelings about my imagery of the cuirasse (breastplate) which I saw in my last experience with Alexander and his times. I saw the breastplate he wore at the Battle of Issus, and in a dvd produced and released by Delta group, the cuirasse and helmet and greaves are displayed in the same order in which I was able to see the helmet, breastplate and armor, and greaves that Alexander is wearing at the Battle of Issus. I had been talking to myself and on my diary about how this is the armor of a king, and that I must protect myself. Lo and behold, in the paragraph about the helmet, cuirasse, and greaves found in the tomb is the same statement, that this is armor fit for a king, and not just a king, but one of culture. Could hardly believe it. One of those believe it or not, but really true. The description of the cuirasse in the exhibition book is much better than mine of Alexander's because I am still keeping it close to my chest.