Ancient & Medieval Military History, Historical Biography - Ancient Era, Military Biography, Greece - Ancient History
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Overview
Despite Alexander the Great's unprecedented accomplishments, during the last seven years of his life, this indomitable warrior became increasingly unpredictable, sporadically violent, megalomaniacal, and suspicious of friends as well as enemies. What could have caused such a lamentable transformation?This biography seeks to answer that question by assessing the role of alcohol in Alexander the Great's life, using the figure of Dionysus as a symbol of its destructive effects on his psyche. The unique methodology employed in this book explores various aspects of Alexander's life while maintaining an historical framework. The exposition of the main theme is handled in such a way that the biography will appeal to general readers as well as scholars.
Editorials
Booknews
In accordance with the fashion current at the time, the "downfall" of Alexander the Great, after he accomplished more than any ordinary human could even hope to dream about, has been variously attributed to hubris, the influence of his mother, and homosexuality. It should come as no surprise in today's climate that we find it attributed to alcoholism. O'Brien is not known as an eminent scholar on Alexander or ancient Greece, but on alcohol. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Book Details
Published
August 20, 1992
Publisher
Routledge
Pages
360
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780415072540