Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age Volume 1

by Peter Green

Book Overview

The Hellenistic Age, the three extraordinary centuries from the death of Alexander in 323 B. C. to Octavian's final defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, has offered a rich and variegated field of exploration for historians, philosophers, economists, and literary critics. Yet few scholars have attempted the daunting task of seeing the period whole, of refracting its achievements and reception through the lens of a single critical...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520083490
• ISBN13: 9780520083493
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 970 Pages
• Weight: 4.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 7.0" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

A stunning work

Having known very little about the Hellenistic period beyond what I picked up from Will Durant (who I still love, in spite of his ill repute among professional historians), I must say Mr. Green has pretty much filled in all the gaps with his exhaustive history. Yes, you have to battle your way through a host of historical figures and the innumerable power plays of the post-Alexander disentegration. And yes, I needed to pull out my dictionary on occasion. (Although my Webster's New World Dictionary doesn't include 'protreptics'.) Also, Mr. Green is way too fond of certain words and phrases, such as 'inter alia' and (especially) 'banausic'. But these are very minor complaints from a non-scholar. Frankly, I wish I knew this much. Had this much culture. Mr. Green is as familiar with modern poetry as with the ancient classics, and often draws comparisons. This is history as I like it: opinionated. Not biased, however. There's a difference. Mr. Green tells you in detail about the Cynics and Epicureans, and then follows that with his opinion. But you are given plenty of information with which to make up your own mind. (I get the impression he doesn't think much of the Cynics, thinks a little better of Epicurus, and thinks even better of the Stoics, though with major reservations.) I don't know if Mr. Green has a 'circular' view of history, but this is the kind of book that (for me at least) reinforces that view. Plus ça change... This isn't the easiest of books to read, especially when wading through the names of so many unfamiliar characters. But stick with it. Your brain will feel better in the end. A most excellent volume.

Brilliant

I was a student of Green's Greek Civilization 3-semester sequence at the University of Texas. This work is clearly related to his lecture style and thorough style of documentation. One comment by the other readers concerns me. In my view, based on my background in the sciences and his own comments, Green is, above all, a scientist, believing that every item in historical analysis is subject to criticism and refutation. There's little in this text (and it IS a text--not casual reading) that suggests it is in any way "subjective." He was also, in my mind, a great teacher, providing a last gasp of academic brilliance into what's become a polytechnic degree mill. Green is a master of the discipline, and this tome represents a lifetime of work. I doubt if it's meant to be "enjoyed." It is meant to be read and to be understood, and hopefully to serve as a reference for further investigation. He's certainly written other books that are far more succinct and accessible. This one is for true students of Hellenistic Greece.

If you meet a Stoic, ask for his horoscope

This book is indeed 'magisterial'. Over 945 pages long, thoroughly annotated, and heavy enough to use as a weapon. It covers the period of time referred to as 'Hellenic'; When the Greeks finally had it with the burden of freedom. After Alexander forced his troops to kneel to him in worship, murdered his closest asociates, and subsequently dropped dead himself.Alongside palace murders and dynastic wars, Green gives us a detailed account of a Greek-centered world after the suicide of Greek liberty, integrity and brilliance. Such are the pitfalls of conquering the world. A geographical expansion concurrent with a contraction of genius. Now, everybody and his cousin is Hellenized. It's the in thing to be since Alexander's generals have become kings in their own right. They may lack his courage and military genius but not his megalomania, tyranny or paranoia. And their princely offspring are generally inclined to be either half-witted or even more vicious.No matter how much history may have romanticized Themistocles, Pericles, Socrates, and the rest of the boys in the previous 'golden age,' the Hellenic period is such a fall from grace that the reader can hardly wait for a sane and efficiently corrupt Rome to wipe them out in the final chapters. Green's style may be too breezy and ironic for some readers who prefer their scholarly works dry. As an example, Green mentions that Cleopatra respected Caesar while Mark Antony "nearly drove her nuts." Above all, it's in the area of philosophy that Green show his most original or, to some, annoyingly cute writing. Philosophy, far from being a rarified persuit of academics, is the central spirit of the culture and times. And the times were tough. This is why Cynics, who would normally be considered parasites or simply nuts, flourished and why Skeptics often brought men toward rather than away from religion. After all, if nothing can be proven with certainty, why not go for the afterlife with gusto?For those of us who are inclined to think of Stoics as heroes or of Epicureans as noble, Green rounds out the portrait unflatteringly. Epicurus was, according to Green, a cult leader who was able to live placidly in his 'garden' thanks to the generous donations of rich dilettantes. Working for a living does not enter into his philosophy. A dogmatist who shunned debate and anathematized all 'heretics' in his polemics, he was probably suffering from bulemia. Hence, his constant emphasis on avoiding pain as the greatest of virtues. In this 'monastic life' his followers engaged in friendly conversation trying to convince themselves that all careers were uselesss and death was not such a big deal.Stoicism also takes a beating. We're told it was a pop philosophy, logically suspect in its premises, a consolation for a once free people who were now politically powerless. Stoics became vastly more influential than Epicureans, not because their message was more profound than, 'Gather your rosebuds while ye may,' but b

Great Book

I would highly recommend this book to any student of the Hellenism, or antiquities. Mr. Green writes engagingly. While parading you the history of the period, he displays a simply astonishing depth of knowledge of the culture, science, techne, and customs of the period. At the same time, he engages you into debate with his opinions and observations. He is never reluctant to take a clever if somewhat sarcastic posture on any issue. This is part of the charm of the book.My only question is would he be as critical of our mainstream culture as he is of the Greeks in the Hellenistic period. Would he be as critical of Thomas Aquinas's "long perspective gambit" as he is of the Stoic's? Would he criticize Buddha's teaching of the "connectedness of all things," as he does the Stoic's? My guess is that we would thrill in "slicing and dicing" them as well, although it comes closer to home for us all.When you read this book, note chapter 11 "Critic as Poet." Peter Green's daimon is Callimachus of Alexandria: clever, sharply witty, and extremely familiar with his material.

Superb, comprehensive overview of the Hellenistic Age

This is one of the very finest works of history I have ever read. It is not only a ground-breaking piece of research and historical synthesis, but it is a terrific pleasure to read. Green is an eloquent and graceful writer, whose text is further enlivened by his dry English wit and acute moral judgments. Even more remarkably, Green appears to be equally at home in writing about political history, literature, science, mathematics, philosophy, and art history. The range and diversity of his research is astonishing, and the footnotes will suggest to you many interesting avenues for further reading on those topics that fascinate you the most. Finally, the hardcover edition is quite simply one of the most beautiful examples of the bookmaker's art to emerge from an American publisher in a long, long time. The text is lavishly illustrated with a profusion of maps, art works, and strikingly revealing coin portraits of dozens of Hellenistic rulers. It will take you a while to work your way through this book, but you'll enjoy every minute of it -- and you'll regret it when you get to the end. I can't wait to come back and read it again a few years down the road.