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Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age (Hellenistic Culture and Society)
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Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age (Hellenistic Culture and Society) Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥
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A stunning work
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| 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 A a 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. |
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