The Lost Book of Alexander the Great

by Andrew Young

Overview

A Reconstruction of Ptolemy I’s History of Alexander’s Conquests, a Primary Source Cited in Later Books That Disappeared More Than One Thousand Years Ago
Alexander the Great is well known as one of the first great empire builders of the ancient world. Among those fellow Macedonian officers who accompanied Alexander in his epic conquests from Greece to India was Ptolemy Lagides. Ptolemy served alongside Alexander from the Persian defeat at the Battle of Issus in modern-day Turkey and the journey to find the oracle that proclaimed Alexander to be Zeus incarnate, to the Battle of the Hydaspes River in 326 BC that opened India to the West. Following Alexander’s death, Ptolemy gained control of Egypt where he founded the dynasty in his name, created the great library of Alexandria, and was patron of the mathematician Euclid. Sometime during his rule in Egypt, Ptolemy wrote a history of Alexander’s conquests. Although it is probable that Ptolemy enhanced his own importance, sources indicate that it was regarded as an accurate and even-handed account of the campaigns of Alexander. However, Ptolemy’s book was lost—perhaps with the destruction of the library he founded—and not even an original fragment has survived. His book, however, was acknowledged as a primary source of information for later Roman historians.
In The Lost Book of Alexander the Great, Andrew Young explores the world of ancient writings about the Macedonian leader in order to determine whether any of Ptolemy’s writings can be recovered. Inspired by Stephen Greenblatt’s distinguished biography of Shakespeare, Will in the World, and written for the general reader, the author uses literary forensics to suggest which parts of later books about Alexander the Great, most notably the account by Arrian of Nicomedia, might be the words of Ptolemy. In addition to separating later Roman sensibilities from the original Greek of Ptolemy, the author re-creates the famous library of Alexandria, and takes the reader along on Alexander’s conquests as closely as we can to how Ptolemy may have recounted them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594165788
Publisher:	Westholme Publishing
Publication date:	08/21/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	247
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

ANDREW YOUNG has a BA in ancient history and a MA in public history from Northern Kentucky University. His research focuses on American criminal and social history, as well as ancient history. He is author of Unwanted: A Murder Mystery of the Gilded Age. 

Table of Contents

List of Maps viii

Introduction ix

1 The Library of Alexandria 1

2 The Beginning of Ptolemy's History 13

3 Crossing the Hellespont 27

4 Conquering Anatolia 43

5 Battling Darius 55

6 The Siege of Tyre 67

7 Egypt Surrenders 79

8 The End of the Persian Empire 89

9 In Pursuit of Darius 103

10 Plots, Trials, and Murder 111

11 Putting Down a Rebellion 121

12 The Death of Cleitus the Black 131

13 The Empire Expands 141

14 The Battle for India 152

15 A Wounded Conqueror 168

16 Heading for Home 180

17 Dissension in the Ranks 191

18 The Death of Alexander 200

Bibliography 211

Acknowledgments 215

Index 217

List of Maps

1 Alexander's route through Ancient Greece and Anatolia 38-39

2 The Battle of Issus, 333 B.C. 59

3 Alexander's route from Egypt to India 84-85

4 The Battle of Gaugamela, 331 B.C. 95

5 The Battle of Hydaspes, 326 B.C. 165

Editorial Reviews

04/14/2014
A book about a lost book, Young’s work diligently recounts the History of Alexander’s Conquests of Ptolemy Lagides, a Macedonian officer who accompanied Alexander the Great during his conquests and who was later to lead the city of Alexandria in its triumph after Alexander’s death. Young’s text is an important addition to the historic saga, particularly because Ptolemy’s is the only recoverable text in that earlier time period. Young reveals the layers of Ptolemy’s personal biases and gains, making for an interesting treatment. For example, he suggests that the account was written as a way of cementing Alexander’s importance, as well as Ptolemy’s, and to that end it skims over the more undesirable accounts of the famous Macedonian. Of note is Young’s description of the Library at Alexandra and its splendor, including it as a reference for when Ptolemy’s work was written. A book for the general reader particularly interested in literary forensics and battle strategy, the text gives a comprehensive analysis of Alexander’s years in expansion. Unfortunately, Young has a difficult time bridging the gap between the two interests, and readers, depending on their preference, may find sections tedious. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Entertaining. . . . well executed. . . . This book offers surprising insights into a great historical figure.”—Foreword Reviews

“Young’s text is an important addition to the historic saga. . . .[It] gives a comprehensive analysis of Alexander’s years in expansion.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher