Alexander the Great in Greece: Book Suggestions

Here are some suggestions for travel books and biographies about Alexander the Great, together with guide books on Greece, Greek history and archaeology. This is suggested in case you wish to read up prior to your historical holiday and cultural tour in Greece. There’s a section specific to this region along with books on the more recent history of this country.

UK visitors interested in purchasing these books, may click on the main title or picture links. US visitors wishing to buy, please click on ‘In USA’

Ancient sources

There are five major surviving written sources on Alexander, three of which (Arrian, Plutarch and Quintus Curtius Rufus) are widely available in English language translations, two of which are only available in one or two translations (Diodorus Siculus and Justin).

The Campaigns of Alexander IN USA Arrian - begins with Alexander’s ascension to the throne and provides a very detailed account of his actions prior to the expedition to Asia. Arrian is considered the most sober, accurate, and sympathetic source for Alexander’s life.

The History of Alexander In USA Quintus Curtius Rufus - is considered the racy, sensational more tabloid account, but the first two books of this account, which would have covered his early life, have sadly been lost.

Life of Alexander In USA Plutarch - is full of fascinating stories and anecdotes, and is the major source for Alexander’s early life in Philip’s court.

Library of History In USA Diodorus Siculus - describes Alexander’s reign in book 17, and that of his father (Philip II) in book 16, in which the young Alexander is occasionally mentioned. The only English translation that currently covers these two books is in the Loeb Classical Library, vol.8 of which has the end of Book 16 and all of Book 17.

Alexander the Great alone IN USA Justin’s abridgement of a much longer history of the non-Roman world (by Pompeius Trogus: the original has not survived) covers the reigns of Philip II and Alexander in books 7-12. Books 11-12 on have been translated in one volume, complete with up-to-date commentary. The entire work, without commentary, by the same translators, has been published in a separate volume IN USA

Alexander Biographies

There are literally hundreds of Alexander biographies in print at the moment, many of which are well-written and scrupulously researched. The following are three of the most noted:

Alexander the Great: the Hunt for a New Past IN USA Paul Cartledge - is probably the best of the recent biographies.

Alexander the Great IN USA Robin Lane Fox - is a superb biography, popular and accessibly written. The writer served as the historical consultant on Oliver Stone’s movie and can be seen riding a charging horse in one scene!

Conquest and Empire: the Reign of Alexander the Great IN USA Brian Bosworth - is perhaps the most authoritative scholar currently working on Alexander, and is highly recommended.

Alexander’s Father

It is often said that to understand Alexander’s success, you must appreciate the situation he inherited from his father - which is precisely what we will be doing on this tour! These two books are an excellent introduction to this forceful, enigmatic man:

Philip II of Macedonia IN USA Ian Worthington - is a scholarly masterpiece, well written and accessible, with some nice B&W photographs.

Philip of Macedon IN USA Nicholas Hammond - is sometimes a little dry, and assumes some prior knowledge of the subject, but is an acknowledged classic from a man who walked every inch of Macedonia during the Second World War and afterwards.

The History and Archaeology of Ancient Macedonia & Greece

History of Macedonia IN USA Malcolm Errington - is a great general history of Macedonia.

In the Shadow of Olympus IN USA Eugene Borza - is a very useful description of the land, which draws heavily on recent archaeological work.

Greek History IN USA Robin Osborne - is the best short introduction to the history of Ancient Greece.

A Concise History of Byzantium 285-1461 IN USA Warren Treadgold - is an accessible and concise introduction to the Byzantine Empire.

Greek Architecture IN USA (5th edition) Arnold Lawrence - is a great introduction to the subject.

The History of Modern Greece

A Concise History of Greece IN USA Richard Clogg - is an informative, humourous and succinct overview of modern Greek history.

Salonica, City of Ghosts: Christians, Muslims and Jews IN USA Mark Mazower - is a masterful description of a lost world of great beauty and achievement. The best history yet written of a city that is central to this tour!

Twice a Stranger: the Mass Expulsions that Forged Modern Greece and Turkey IN USA Bruce Clark - is the most rigorous account of the harrowing events that created modern Greece and Turkey.

The Orthodox Church IN USA Timothy Ware - (Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia) is the best single volume introduction to the Orthodox church, written by one of its foremost theologians.

Greece Guidebooks

The Blue Guide to Greece: the Mainland is an excellent introduction to Greece, its culture, history and architecture.

The Rough Guide to Greece IN USA 12th Edition (2008)

Lonely Planet Greece IN USA (2010)

Alexander Novels

Everyone has their own favourite Alexander novels, but few would deny that these by Mary Renault are timeless classics.
Fire from Heaven IN USA

The Persian Boy IN USA

Funeral Games IN USA

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