Has any ancient figure captivated the imagination of people over the centuries so much as Alexander the Great? In less than a decade he created an empire stretching across much of the Near East as far as India, which led to Greek culture becoming dominant in much of this region for a millennium. Here, an international team of experts clearly explains the life and career of one of the most significant figures in world history. They introduce key themes of his campaign as well as describing aspects of his court and government and exploring the very different natures of his engagements with the various peoples he encountered and their responses to him. The reader is also introduced to the key sources, including the more important fragmentary historians, especially Ptolemy, Aristobulus and Clitarchus, with their different perspectives. The book closes by considering how Alexander's image was manipulated in antiquity itself.

'The book … is handsomely presented, in keeping with what one would expect from Cambridge UP. It is laid out in a helpful manner, with a thorough reference section and index, making effective use of maps along with colour and black & white images throughout.' K. R. Moore, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
'… a timely and comprehensive reference work that … summarizes the latest findings in Alexander studies in an accessible and descriptive format. It offers a broad overview of a range of topics, addressing them not only at a superficial level but also exploring different research perspectives.… of great use to both experts and interested readers.' Katharina Fischer, H-Soz-Kult

DANIEL OGDEN is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Exeter. His previous publications include: Polygamy, Prostitutes and Death: The Hellenistic Dynasties (1999; 2nd ed., 2023); (ed.) The Hellenistic World: New Perspectives (2002); (co-ed. with Elizabeth Carney) Philip and Alexander: Father and Son, Lives and Afterlives (2010); Alexander the Great: Myth, Genesis and Sexuality (2011); and The Legend of Seleucus (Cambridge, 2017).