In the Path of Conquest: Resistance to Alexander the Great
Waldemar Heckel
Abstract
This book offers a fresh insight into the conquests of Alexander the Great by attempting to view the events of 336–323 from the vantage point of the defeated. The extent, and form, of the resistance of those whose territories were invaded varied in accordance with previous relationships with either the Macedonian invader or the Achaemenids. The internal political situations of many states—particularly the Greek cities of Asia Minor—were also a factor. In the vast Persian Empire from the Aegean to the Indus, some states surrendered voluntarily, and others offered fierce resistance. Not all regi ... More
This book offers a fresh insight into the conquests of Alexander the Great by attempting to view the events of 336–323 from the vantage point of the defeated. The extent, and form, of the resistance of those whose territories were invaded varied in accordance with previous relationships with either the Macedonian invader or the Achaemenids. The internal political situations of many states—particularly the Greek cities of Asia Minor—were also a factor. In the vast Persian Empire from the Aegean to the Indus, some states surrendered voluntarily, and others offered fierce resistance. Not all regions were subdued through military actions. Indeed, the excessive use of force on Alexander’s part is demonstrated as ineffective and counterproductive. This book examines the reasons for these varied responses, giving more emphasis to the defeated and less to the Conqueror and his Macedonians. In the process, it debunks many long-held views concerning Alexander’s motives. Such a study involves rigorous analysis of the ancient sources, and their testimony is presented throughout the book in the form of newly translated passages.
Keywords:
Alexander,
Panhellenism,
Achaemenid Empire,
Asia Minor,
Memnon,
Egypt,
expansion,
conquest
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2020 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780190076689 |
| Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: March 2020 |
DOI:10.1093/oso/9780190076689.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Waldemar Heckel, author
Professor Emeritus of Ancient History and Research Fellow, Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary
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