The History of Alexander

by Quintus Curtius Rufus, J.C. Yardley (Translator), Waldemar Heckel (Introduction)

The essential history of Alexander the Great, compelling and brilliantly realized

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), who led the Macedonian army to victory in Egypt, Syria, Persia and India, was perhaps the most successful conqueror the world has ever seen. Yet although no other individual has attracted so much speculation across the centuries, Alexander himself remains an enigma. Curtius' History offers a great deal of information unobtainable from other sources of the time. A compelling narrative of a turbulent era, the work recounts events on a heroic scale, detailing court intrigue, stirring speeches and brutal battles--among them, those of Macedonia's great war with Persia, which was to culminate in Alexander's final triumph over King Darius and the defeat of an ancient and mighty empire. It also provides by far the most plausible and haunting portrait of Alexander we possess: a brilliantly realized image of a man ruined by constant good fortune in his youth.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Genres: History, Classics, Ancient History, Biography, Nonfiction, Ancient, Greece

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 50

Reviews

[Mihai Zodian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classical and often contested history of Alexander the Great's conquest, especially of the war against the Persian Empire (334-327 BC). It's one of the books I enjoyed during my childhood and teenage years and I've reread it recently.

The book offers an easy reading of a sometimes higher than life, but still real figure, and the author uses a balanced perspective on the famous Macedonian ruler. These two advantages need to be assessed in the light of the fact that this work is a secondary source, written hundreds of years after the events by a Roman author.

Two episodes drew my attention. The first one I remember since ages: Tyre was the New York of Antiquity, a proud and rich city, built upon an island, with only a weak link to the shore. This Phoenician economical hub, the metropolis of Carthage, was pressed by Alexander to submit, but its inhabitants refused. A prolonged and bloody siege followed, in which the Macedonians combined stubbornness and knowledge, building a road from under the war, while being constantly attacked, and Tyre was taken (332 BC).

The other drew my attention during this new reading: another last stand of the Spartans. Close to Megalopolis, they faced the Macedonian Phalanx, in what Curtius Rufus suggests that it was a struggle between the old and the new (331 BC). The author provides a very moving and suggestive description of this battle. It is instructive to remember that it was only a side-show in a greater war.

The first episode underlined ingeniosity, that geographical determinism is wrong, the other, heroism and tradition. Thus, sometimes it is good to return to old books and find new meaning, though I often find this approach difficult and boring. The bottom line: The History of Alexander is nicely written, with a fascinating subject and some useful things to remember.

Sources: Curtius, wiki.

[Maisie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent translation and all but imagine you’re me just coming up on the part you need for your assessment and it’s like “Whoops! 😄 Sorry! 😋 there’s a lacuna 🕳️ it’s lost 🤷‍♂️ tee hee 🤭”

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having this paperback since August 2012, I’ve long reluctant to have a go with this seemingly tedious ten-book biography entitled “The History of Alexander” by Quintus Curtius Rufus. It’s a pity its Books 1 and 2 had been lost, so we’ve to make do with the summary. I didn’t know why, perhaps its biographer’s name wasn’t familiar to me, that is, I’ve rarely heard his name till its page informed me he was the Roman historian who “wrote the only life in Latin of Alexander the Great” (p. i) Generally, it looks formidable because a system of numbering within square brackets followed by translated sentences has been used, for instance, Book Three: Section 1 [1] …, [2] …, [3] …, … [24] … ; Section 2 [1] …, [2] …, [3] …, … [19] … ; Section 3 [1] …, [2] …, [3] …, … [28] … Section 13 [1] …, [2] …, [3] … [17]. This system seems obviously repetitive; it’s allowed as a kind of connectivity in relation to the original texts, presumably for comparative translations by those Latin vs English scholars.

Alexander, notably deserved such an honorific ‘The Great’, has since been admired because his incisive character on occasions as the victor was impressively eminent and proudly recorded by historians for posterity. For example, how he extended his kindness towards Darius’ family has nobly proved his integrity as a kingly, god-like, gentleman-like warrior in the ancient world history as we can see from this extract:

At this particular time, certainly, his actions were such that he outshone all previous kings in self-control and clemency. The unmarried princesses, who were extremely beautiful, he treated with as much respect as if they were his own sisters. As for Darius' wife, who was surpassed by none of her generation in beauty, Alexander was so far from offering her violence that he took the utmost care to prevent anyone from taking advantage of her while she was in captivity. He gave orders for all their finery to be returned to the women, and as captives they lacked none of the magnificence of their former state – only their self-esteem. (p. 46)

That is what he did as a true heroic victor, even vanquished Darius who knew their troubled plight and kind treatment later said:

'Gods of my country,' he said, 'before all else make firm my rule; but my next prayer, if my career is at an end, is that Asia find no other ruler than this just enemy, this merciful victor.' (p. 75)

By the way, I kept wondering why he’s called ‘Curtius’ taken from his middle name while ‘Arrian’ taken from his last name (Lucius Flavius Arrianus). However, I couldn’t help comparing it to Arrian’s “The Campaigns of Alexander”, I found reading its seven books in July 2011 more enjoyable and delightful due to its flowing prose, in other words, no obstructive numbers while reading like this one.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less dry than Arrian's The Campaigns of Alexander, but covering a similar period. Based on different sources to Arrian's ones but nearly similar in the basic sequence of events. It's also a good deal shorter than Arrian's tome. Both are well worth reading.

[Marcos Augusto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintus Curtius Rufus gives us a rounded portrait of Alexander as a good man corrupted by success. Alexander's virtues were his own, his faults the result of his good fortune. Curtius is sometimes confused about names, dates, and places, and sometimes he plays fast and loose with the facts, but over all he wrote an exciting narrative full of gripping battle scenes, harrowing accounts of bravery and cruelty, and unforgettable characters.

Curtius Rufus, living as he did during the time of the deranged Julio-Claudian emperors, uses Alexander's story to express truths about his own period that could not be openly stated. Most likely he wrote during the reign of Claudius, who in addition to being an alcoholic and a womanizer was also a sadist--all faults for which Curtius criticizes Alexander. He is especially troubled by Alexander's insistence on being worshipped as a god--this at a time when the emperor cult was in its early stages.

Compared to Arrian this feels more like historical fiction.

[John Isles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume includes the Latin text of Curtius's History of Alexander, with a translation into Italian on the facing page, a good long introduction, and plenteous footnotes. I find that the genius of the Italian language is generally close to that of its Latin predecessor, so that while remaining readable the translation can be more literal than one in English would be, and so more helpful as an aid to understanding the original; not that Curtius is a particularly difficult writer. Italians are fortunate to be able to find in most of their good bookstores several shelves of Greek and Latin classics in editions such as this. The nearest equivalent for English readers is the rather more expensive Loeb Classical Library.

[EJ Easlick]

This is a great introduction to Alexander the Great for anyone who is unfamiliar with him, who wants to read the ancient primary sources on his life. Nice, anecdotal examples illustrate his character, and his character is the focus of this essay; it is not meant to be an exhaustive history of his life.

[emmy]

read for class no i did not read it cover to cover but im sick and tired of it so i get to log it here as a reward

[John Isles · Rating 5 out of 5]

In parallel with reading the Latin, and translating it for a group I'm running on the Latin Study list (https://quasillum.com/study/latinstud...), I've been following this Penguin translation by John Yardley. The volume includes a useful introduction, detailed notes, and maps of Alexander's campaigns. There are some problems in Curtius's text, and the readings chosen by the translator are not always those that are used in my other printed texts, but the variations are carefully annotated. One of the best of the Penguin Classics series.

[Sharkcrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad source for Alexander. Has some great material in it for assignments. Haven't read it the whole way through, only dipped unit it as needed, but the translation is easy enough to read and I probably will read it as a whole at some point.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like anyone interested in ancient and/or military history I have long considered Alexander the Great as possibly the greatest commander of any army in any campaign. To try and understand this status the primary literary sources are of course key, and I have read Arrian's text in translation, thus coming to grips with a more heroic and laudatory tradition regarding Alexander. Quintus Curtius Rufus is another of my books on the Macedonian king, and I have read it before (without attempting to draw any insights from it). As this was my second reading of QCR I tried to be more critical in my approach, and for me whilst his history of Alexander is perhaps an exercise in idolisation, it is also generally less readable. I found Rufus to be more plodding in his (translated) prose, particularly when it came to the second half of the book, after Darius III was assassinated by Bessus and in turn the Persian usurper was executed by Alexander.

I should add a significant caveat to my criticism of QCR, in that he does give a vigorous and (I believe) accurate representation of the military genius that Alexander the Great was. In his description of the campaigns that established Alexander's reputation this history is imbued with a soldier's eye as to how to lead troops well and how to manoeuvre in battle. I'm not sure how this may be contrasted with other ancient literary sources, and what Rufus brings to his history in terms of personal experience. Like all ancient historians his use of speeches and estimation of troop numbers (both friendly and enemy) are very problematic, to the point of being non-historical. Yet QCR provides the reader with numerous examples of Alexander's martial skills and spirit. Whether its talking to his troops, asking them to come with him into the strange wilds of India, utilising subordinates to divert or hold the enemy whilst he applies the main attack, or struggling to form an effective coalition of multinational forces where pride threatens to destabilise his army, this is the 'historical' Alexander who is the epitome of a great general.

Without having anywhere near the capability required to critically analyse the text in terms of its translation and its transmission, I can't make any insightful comments on the academic value of this Penguin edition of QCR. However I am able to commend this edition as a serious historical text due to its copious annotations, including cross-referenced notes that cite other sources for Alexander such as the aforementioned Arrian, plus Diodorus Siculus, Plutarch, the Metz Epitome, Justin, and other more fragmentary works. From an ancient history student's point of view this is exceedingly helpful. However for the more general reader the narrative can become slow as one continually refers to the citations in the back of the book.

In conclusion, I have only given this book 2 stars because it was such a hard read, with its most illuminating and compelling passages focused on Alexander's military prowess. I suspect that for those wanting a more engaging read Arrian or Plutarch would be more appropriate, and of course there are numerous modern secondary texts on the life of the Macedonian king (Robin Lane Fox wrote a classic that might be worth looking into).

[Stefan Badescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander the Great is for me the greatest leader that history has recorded.
Quintus Curtius Rufus writes his most extensive history that has survived to this day. It is true that his writings are at a distance of more than 400 years from the death of Alexander the Great, but historians confirm the writings.
The leadership shown by Alexander the Great is incredible. This should be the starting manual for every person who wants to understand this skill, so necessary in project management and in business in general.
Of course, Alexander Macedon, perhaps due to his youth, made mistakes, such as burning down the capital of Persia, the city of Persepolis.
A mistake due to the exaltation of conquest, a mistake he later regretted. Even 1,700 years later, Mehmed II makes a similar mistake following the capture of Constantinople, when, in the elation of victory, he leaves the army in shambles, unattended, the city suffering fires and irreparable destruction.

[El Bibliófilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comentarios en video: https://youtu.be/h8TWWFubVxI

Afinidades con Napoleón, César y Tito Livio.
En esta obra del historiador clásico destaco algunas afinidades de la figura de Alejandro Magno con Napoléon y César aprovechando las lecciones morales y críticas que el autor realiza al personaje.
Encontré al historiador muy alineado con Tito Livio, pues además de moralizar con los hechos históricos para educar a los lectores, destaca la suerte y la superstición como agentes determinantes de la Historia.
Los animo a leer esta maravillosa obra.

[Mikhail Enolil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful albeit incomplete and sometimes geographically errorneous story of the Macedonian Basileus adventure from the Hellaspont into India and the ocean. Amazingly, its one of the 4 secondary sources we have of Alexander and this one just so happened to be the most popular. Its a shame how all primary sources were lost but nonetheless, Quintus with an obvious Roman bias shows what trully made Alexander Great and his faults as a hubristic man.

[Santiago González · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bastante entretenida y amena. Maneja un estilo más retórico y fantasioso que Arriano, pero manteniendo bastante la verosimilitud. Me han faltado esos detalles y ese detenimiento que da Arriano sobre la India que Curcio Rufo no menciona. Muy recomendada, además es junto con la novela del pseudo-Calístenes la fuente principal de los relatos medievales y posteriores de Alejandro, y una de las fuentes más fidedignas de su vida.

[Tony DeHaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read Arrian's account of Alexander the Great a few years ago, I had, of course, read Quintus Curtius' account (written around the middle of the first century AD) also. It reads almost like a historical novel, for Quintus Curtius is embellishing his tale with non-existent letters, speeches, thoughts, and the like.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Occasional bits of rambling, embellishments, and the inclusion of highly dubious incidents notwithstanding, the surviving parts of Curtius Rufus's history of Alexander the Great, drawing on firsthand accounts long since lost to history, are among the most valuable historical sources available to us today. Best read in conjunction with Arrian for a more complete picture.

[Marijn Taal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most recent (2004) English translation of (Quintus) Curtius Rufus' 'Histories of Alexander the Great of Macedon' by John Yardley, with an introduction, summaries of the two lost books and notes by Waldemar Heckel and concluded with exhaustive Appendices including a chronology, glossary of personal names, indexes and maps.

[Ginger Schiffmayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Arrian is “more accurate,” but Rufus is soooo much more entertaining. Considering the accounts were all written in the Roman period, hundreds of years after, why shouldn’t I prefer the most fun?

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read with a fantastic introduction and good endnotes.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensione sul blog Alessandro III di Macedonia- la tua risorsa su Alessandro Magno

[Constantine]

Not the Kindle edition but a book

[Joseph Calev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting perspective on the life of Alexander. To be honest, I preferred Diodorus Siculus, and I believe I'll prefer Arrian, but this certainly was a fascinating narrative.

[Julia]

There is no such thing as too many Histories of Alexander.

[Gordon Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintus Curtius Rufus you've done it again

[Alexandra Smithie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So historically inaccurate. Curtius just be lying. Love

[Prundeanu Ciprian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient histories are obviously harder to read than the modern ones, had its interesting moments.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

tbd

[J Siukiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful when doing a comparative analysis. The footnotes are sufficient at adding context.

[Athanasia The Book Fairy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Δεν είμαι ιστορικός Αλλά πιστεύω ακράδαντα ότι αυτό το βιβλίο μου πρόσφερε γνώσεις που δεν γνώριζα. Τελικά η ιστορία του Μεγάλου Αλεξάνδρου είναι μαγευτική και είναι υποχρέωση όλων μας να την γνωρίζουμε.