Highly readable without talking down to non-historians or those unfamiliar with the broad outlines of Alexander's life. Freeman condenses a great deal of information into this account, which deals largely with the military history. Hephaistion is barely mentioned. Freeman seems to take for granted the idea that the friendship was intimate, but unlike Mary Renault he doesn't then create an Alexander who is a romantic hero. While Alexander was capable of chivalrous gestures such as his generous treatment of Darius' family, Freeman is quick to point out the political or military advantages that accrued to the king as the result. If he was defied, Alexander was as ruthless as any other warlord during the period. If Freeman can be believed, Persian mothers scared their children with the mere mention of his name. Alexander as bogeyman!
Freeman hits his stride in the last few pages when he lays out the continuing impact of Alexander upon history. He argues that Alexander made even the spread of Christianity possible. Freeman offers a persuasive argument that the Macedonian conqueror may have been the most influential figure of the ancient world, with lasting effect to this day on the West.
Freeman hits his stride in the last few pages when he lays out the continuing impact of Alexander upon history. He argues that Alexander made even the spread of Christianity possible. Freeman offers a persuasive argument that the Macedonian conqueror may have been the most influential figure of the ancient world, with lasting effect to this day on the West.
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