To all those who witnessed his extraordinary conquests; from Albania to India; Alexander the Great appeared invincible. How Alexander himself promoted this appearancemdash;how he abetted the belief that he enjoyed divine favor and commanded even the forces of nature against his enemiesmdash;is the subject of Frank L. Holts absorbing book. Solid evidence for the "supernaturalized" Alexander lies in a rare series of medallions that depict the triumphant young king at war against the elephants; archers; and chariots of Rajah Porus of India at the Battle of the Hydaspes River. Recovered from Afghanistan and Iraq in sensational and sometimes perilous circumstances; these ancient artifacts have long animated the modern historical debate about Alexander. Holts book; the first devoted to the mystery of these ancient medallions; takes us into the history of their discovery and interpretation; into the knowable facts of their manufacture and meaning; and; ultimately; into the kings own psyche and his frightening theology of war. The result is a valuable analysis of Alexander history and myth; a vivid account of numismatics; and a spellbinding look into the age-old mechanics of megalomania.
#1101658 in eBooks 2010-07-30 2010-07-30File Name: B003YL3PIG
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