Show 71 - Mania for Subjugation

Napoleon Bonaparte's views on ambition are reflected in various quotes and historical accounts. He saw ambition as a driving force, noting that 'Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them'[1][5]. His own ambition was fueled by his desire to redeem his family's name and achieve military and political success, which ultimately led him to become one of the most influential figures in European history[2][4].

H.G. Wells was a prolific author known for his science fiction and historical works, but he did not write a book focused on Alexander the Great. His notable works include 'The Time Machine', 'The War of the Worlds', 'The Outline of History', and 'A Short History of the World'.

Aristotle was summoned by King Philip II of Macedon to tutor his son Alexander when Alexander was thirteen years old. The education took place in the Temple of the Nymphs at Mieza and included subjects such as philosophy, ethics, politics, natural sciences, and the arts. Aristotle emphasized critical thinking, leadership skills, and the importance of ethics and morality. He also instilled in Alexander an interest in medicine, zoology, and botany. Alexander's education under Aristotle significantly influenced his approach to leadership and governance, as well as his military campaigns and cultural policies during his conquests[3][4][5].

Plutarch's 'Life of Alexander' is part of his 'Parallel Lives' series, where he compares Alexander the Great with Julius Caesar. The work emphasizes the personal character and anecdotes of Alexander, rather than providing a comprehensive historical account. Plutarch uses various contemporary sources, though he acknowledges their unreliability. The biography highlights Alexander's upbringing, his relationship with Aristotle, and his military campaigns, often using small incidents to reveal his character and virtues. Plutarch's approach is more about illuminating the moral and personal aspects of Alexander's life than detailing every historical event[2][3][4].

Epaminondas is known for his innovative military tactics, including the deep phalanx formation and the oblique order of battle. These strategies were crucial in his victories, such as the Battle of Leuctra, but are not compiled into a book written by him.

The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events. The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris. The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war. The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector[1][3][5].

Iphicrates is credited with important infantry reforms that included increasing the length of peltasts' weapons, reducing defensive armor, and introducing lighter shields and armor such as the linen linothorax. He also developed lightweight soldiers' boots known as Iphicratides. His tactics and reforms were highly influential, contributing to the development of the Macedonian phalanx used by Philip II and Alexander the Great. Iphicrates was a skilled commander who used his peltasts effectively in various battles, including the Corinthian War, where he nearly annihilated a battalion of Spartan hoplites[2][4][5].

This book is a historical biography that covers the lives of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great over a period of 78 years. Goldsworthy argues that Alexander's success was heavily dependent on the military reforms, victories, and political strategies of his father. Philip transformed ancient Macedon from a minor kingdom into a dominant power in Greece, creating the armies that Alexander later led to conquer vast territories, including the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The book provides a detailed account of their military campaigns, political maneuvers, and the cultural context of their time, emphasizing the crucial role of Philip in Alexander's subsequent achievements[2][4][5].

This book by Tom Holland continues the story where his previous work, 'Rubicon', left off, following the murder of Julius Caesar. It delves into the lives of five Roman emperors—Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero—highlighting their vices, vicious behavior, and the intrigue, murder, and decadence that characterized their reigns. Despite their personal flaws, the Roman Empire continued to prosper during this period. Holland uses unreliable but lurid Roman sources like Tacitus and Suetonius, while also acknowledging modern scholarly perspectives. The narrative is rich in detail, covering not only the emperors but also the broader context of the Roman Empire's expansion and internal struggles[1][2][3].

This book is a detailed survey of ancient Greece, covering its prehistoric culture, the rise of city-states, the Classical Age, the decline and fall of the Greek city-states, and the spread of Greek culture during the Hellenistic period. It includes discussions on historical events, literature, philosophy, politics, science, art, and the lives of both prominent and lesser-known figures. Durant places Greek civilization within the broader context of Western civilization and its lasting impact on philosophy, science, and art[2][4][5].

Daedalus, a skilled craftsman, and his son Icarus were imprisoned by King Minos on the island of Crete. Daedalus built wings for himself and Icarus using feathers and wax to escape. He warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun or too low to the sea. However, Icarus ignored these warnings, flew too close to the sun, and his wings melted, causing him to fall into the sea and drown. Daedalus, grief-stricken, continued his flight and later honored his son by naming the nearest land Icaria and the sea the Icarian Sea[2][4][5].

This book provides a detailed account of Philip II's life, from his youth spent as a hostage to his rise to power and his military reforms. It emphasizes Philip's strategic vision, his development of the Macedonian phalanx, and his diplomatic and military achievements that laid the foundation for Alexander's conquests. The book argues that Philip's contributions to military history and his transformation of Macedonia into a regional power were pivotal, often overshadowed by the achievements of his son Alexander. It includes discussions on Philip's unification of Greece, his military tactics, and his role in initiating a new age of warfare in the West.

This book, the second volume in 'The Story of Civilization' series, covers the history of Greek civilization from its earliest times to the Roman conquest. It delves into various aspects of Greek culture, including government, industry, manners, morals, religion, philosophy, science, literature, and art. Durant also explores the daily lives of Greeks, the rise and fall of city-states like Sparta and Athens, and the significant contributions of Greek civilization to Western culture[3][4][5].

Diodorus Siculus' *Library of History* is a monumental work of universal history, consisting of forty books divided into three sections. The first section (Books 1-6) deals with the mythological history of non-Greek and Greek peoples up to the Trojan War. The second section (Books 7-17) covers history from the Trojan War to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE. The third section (Books 18-40) continues the history up to either 60 BCE or the beginning of Caesar's Gallic War. Only Books 1-5 and 11-20 have survived in their entirety, with fragments of the rest. Diodorus is valued for his detailed and faithful compilation of sources, including works now lost from authors like Ephorus, Apollodorus, and Timaeus.

Plutarch's 'Life of Caesar' is a biography of Julius Caesar written in the beginning of the 2nd century AD. Unlike most of Plutarch's works, this biography is more historical and secular, lacking moral judgement and divine elements. It draws heavily from sources such as the lost 'Histories' of Asinius Pollio and the works of Cicero. The book is part of 'Parallel Lives', where Plutarch pairs Caesar with Alexander the Great to draw parallels between Greek and Roman statesmen[2][4][5].

This biography by John Maxwell O'Brien provides a detailed and engaging account of Alexander the Great's life, from his conception to his death. It focuses on Alexander's conquests, including battles like Granicus, Issus, and Gaugamela, as well as sieges such as those of Halicarnassus, Tyre, and Gaza. The book also delves into Alexander's less heroic moments, such as the drunken torching of the Palace at Persepolis. O'Brien's work is characterized by its Plutarchean style, emphasizing the personal and anecdotal aspects of Alexander's life and his connections to the mythological figure of Dionysus. The book concludes with a discussion on the various hypotheses surrounding Alexander's sudden death in Babylon in 323 B.C.[1][2][5]

This biography by Peter Green offers a detailed and nuanced portrayal of Alexander the Great. It begins with an account of Alexander's father, Philip of Macedonia, and explores how Philip's legacy shaped Alexander's career. Green depicts Alexander as a brilliant and ambitious field commander who was also capable of brutal actions such as patricide and the massacre of civilians. The book is rich in historical detail, including full backnotes, fourteen maps, and chronological and genealogical tables. It provides a gripping tale of Alexander's career, fully aware of his darker side, and offers a comprehensive study that combines historical data, legends, and myths to understand the man and his times.

This book provides an exhilarating military narrative of the careers of Philip II and Alexander the Great, showing how Philip was the architect of the Macedonian empire, which reached its zenith under Alexander but disintegrated upon his death. It also explores the impact of Greek culture in the East, the problems Alexander faced in dealing with a diverse subject population, and his strategies for nation building. The book sheds light on contemporary events in culturally dissimilar regions and raises questions about whether great conquerors make great kings.

This book provides a comprehensive account of the careers of Philip II and Alexander the Great, highlighting how Philip was the architect of the Macedonian empire, which reached its zenith under Alexander but disintegrated upon his death. It explores the impact of Greek culture in the East, the problems Alexander faced in dealing with a diverse subject population, and his strategies for nation building. The narrative sheds light on contemporary events in culturally dissimilar regions and raises questions about whether great conquerors make great kings.