Category Archives for Arrian-Alexander
Arrian Book I Conference Call Recording (Andre’s Group)
Here’s the audio recording for the Arrian Book I conference call (Andre’s group). Listen online or download the mp3 file and listen to it as a podcast on your ipod. Continue reading
Arrian Book I Discussion Questions
1. In the Editor’s Preface (p. xxxiv), James Romm quotes P. A. Brunt’s assessment of Arrian: “He was a simple, honest soul, but no historian.” After reading Arrian’s preface on p. 3, what is your first impression? What do we consider to be an hist… Continue reading
Arrian Reading Group Introductory Call
Dear Arrian readers of Alexander’s Campaigns, You can listen to tonight’s call right here or you can download it as a podcast to your mp3 player. I enjoyed “meeting” you all tonight and look forward to discussing Book I on our next call. Sincerely… Continue reading
‘The most thrilling volume’
The Landmark Arrian – The Campaigns of Alexander, just received a most positive review in the Sunday New York Times Book Review. “The Landmark Arrian” the most thrilling volume in this fine series. Edited by Reading Odyssey friend, Professor James… Continue reading
Alexander the Great Discussion Series Part 8
What caused Alexander’s Death? JAMES ROMM Paul, on the question of the cause of Alexander’s death, there is a 2,000-plus year debate between poisoning theorists and medical diagnosticians, still going on today. Both Plutarch and Arrian believed th… Continue reading
Alexander the Great Discussion Series Part 8
What was Alexander’s sexual orientation? PAUL CARTLEDGE Jamie, one aspect of Alexander’s life that still arouses huge controversy is what nowadays we’d call his sexuality or sexual identity. I remember that a rather conservative Greek lawyer, conv… Continue reading
Alexander the Great Discussion Series Part 7
Alexander’s Fusion of European and Asian Monarchic TraditionsJAMES ROMM Paul, in our last segment we agreed to discuss what is sometimes called Alexander’s “fusion” policies — Principally, his attempt to hybridize Greco-Macedonian and Persian sty… Continue reading
Alexander the Great Discussion Series Part 6
How religious was Alexander the Great?PAUL CARTLEDGE Jamie, it’s very hard indeed to penetrate the psychology of any prominent ancient (Greek or Roman) figure, I find, apart perhaps from Cicero and Augustine, because we usually lack the right sort… Continue reading
Alexander the Great Discussion Series Part 5
How Great a General was Alexander?JAMES ROMM Paul, our topic this week is whether Alexander was as great a general as he’s cracked up to be. No one can deny his success rate in major battles — 100% — and his enormous skill in matters of logistic… Continue reading
The Beauty of Alexander’s Life
“The beauty of Alexander’s life is that he did live out so many of the myths. He is the greatest Greek hero of all. In his story we find Achilles (who he outdid), Oedipus (hurt by his mother, Olympias, and her possible involvement in Philip’s deat… Continue reading →
01. May 2011 by Arrian
Categories: Arrian-Alexander, Commentary | Tags: Alexander the Great, Landmark Arrian | Comments Off on The Beauty of Alexander’s Life