The Treasures of Alexander the Great: How One Man's Wealth Shaped the World by F

Description: The Treasures of Alexander the Great by Frank L. Holt This book investigates the kinds and quantities of treasure seized by Alexander the Great, from gold and silver to land and slaves. It reveals what became of the kings wealth, and what Alexanders redistribution of these vast resources can tell us today about his much-disputed policies and personality. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description War, the most profitable economic activity in the ancient world, transferred wealth from the vanquished to the victor. Invasions, sieges, massacres, annexations, and mass deportations all redistributed property with dramatic consequences for kings and commoners alike. No conqueror ever captured more people or property in so short a lifetime than Alexander the Great in the late fourth century BC. For all its savagery, the creation of Alexandersempire has generally been hailed as a positive economic event for all concerned. Even those harshly critical of Alexander today tend to praise his plundering of Persia as a means of liberating themoribund resources of the East. To test this popular interpretation, The Treasures of Alexander the Great investigates the kinds and quantities of treasure seized by the Macedonian king, from gold and silver to land and slaves. It reveals what became of the kings wealth and what Alexanders redistribution of these vast resources can tell us about his much-disputed policies and personality. Though Alexander owed his vast fortune to war, battle also distracted himfrom competently managing his spoils and much was wasted, embezzled, deliberately destroyed, or idled unprofitably. The Treasures of Alexander the Great provides a long-overdue and accessible account ofAlexanders wealth and its enormous impact on the ancient world. Author Biography Frank L. Holt is Professor of History at the University of Houston and the author of Lost World of the Golden King, Into the Land of Bones, Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions, and Thundering Zeus. Table of Contents List of IllustrationsChapter One. IntroductionChapter Two. Poor Alexander?Chapter Three. Conquest, Up Close and CostlyChapter Four. Reciting the Swords PrayerChapter Five. A Kings PrioritiesChapter Six. (Mis)ManagementChapter Seven. ConclusionAppendicesNotesBibliographyIndex Review "This book is in many ways a compelling study of the economics of conquest...The book is extremely well-written and a pleasure to read throughout, no small achievement given that Holts story is at least in part a story of numbers and calculations rather than of battles and murderous drinking parties. Holt is creative in his use and presentation of those numbers and restrained when the evidence is not sufficient to resolve debate. The book will be an excellentaddition to undergraduate or graduate courses on Alexander as well as an important contribution to discussions among specialists on Alexander and more broadly the effects of war." --William D. Barry,Bryn Mawr Classical Review"Written in clear and simple language, based on a thorough analysis of ancient historians and for this reason dispelling many myths about Alexanders conquest, this book will find many readers among the specialists of ancient history but it will also captivate all those who want to discover another side of Alexander the Great." --Alain Bresson, University of Chicago"Its not easy to find something new to say at book length about Alexander the Great and his conquests, but in this fascinating and exciting study Frank Holt does just that. By building up a picture of the conquerors income and expenses, he assesses the strengths and weaknesses of his fiscal policies, sheds light on the economic impact of the conquest, lays some old canards to rest, and even teases out conclusions about Alexanders character. This book willchange the way we look at Alexander." --Robin Waterfield, author of Dividing the Spoils and Taken at the Flood"Mr. Holt is fearless in his interrogation of both the ancient sources and the received wisdom among modern scholars...[his prose] radiates conviction and clarity." --The Wall Street Journal Long Description War, the most profitable economic activity in the ancient world, transferred wealth from the vanquished to the victor. Invasions, sieges, massacres, annexations, and mass deportations all redistributed property with dramatic consequences for kings and commoners alike. No conqueror ever captured more people or property in so short a lifetime than Alexander the Great in the late fourth century BC. For all its savagery, the creation of Alexandersempire has generally been hailed as a positive economic event for all concerned. Even those harshly critical of Alexander today tend to praise his plundering of Persia as a means of liberating themoribund resources of the East. To test this popular interpretation, The Treasures of Alexander the Great investigates the kinds and quantities of treasure seized by the Macedonian king, from gold and silver to land and slaves. It reveals what became of the kings wealth and what Alexanders redistribution of these vast resources can tell us about his much-disputed policies and personality. Though Alexander owed his vast fortune to war, battle also distracted himfrom competently managing his spoils and much was wasted, embezzled, deliberately destroyed, or idled unprofitably. The Treasures of Alexander the Great provides a long-overdue and accessible account ofAlexanders wealth and its enormous impact on the ancient world. Review Text "Written in clear and simple language, based on a thorough analysis of ancient historians and for this reason dispelling many myths about Alexanders conquest, this book will find many readers among the specialists of ancient history but it will also captivate all those who want to discover another side of Alexander the Great." --Alain Bresson, University of Chicago"Its not easy to find something new to say at book length about Alexander the Great and his conquests, but in this fascinating and exciting study Frank Holt does just that. By building up a picture of the conquerors income and expenses, he assesses the strengths and weaknesses of his fiscal policies, sheds light on the economic impact of the conquest, lays some old canards to rest, and even teases out conclusions about Alexanders character. This book willchange the way we look at Alexander." --Robin Waterfield, author of Dividing the Spoils and Taken at the Flood"Mr. Holt is fearless in his interrogation of both the ancient sources and the received wisdom among modern scholars...[his prose] radiates conviction and clarity." --The Wall Street Journal Review Quote "Written in clear and simple language, based on a thorough analysis of ancient historians and for this reason dispelling many myths about Alexanders conquest, this book will find many readers among the specialists of ancient history but it will also captivate all those who want to discover another side of Alexander the Great." --Alain Bresson, University of Chicago "Its not easy to find something new to say at book length about Alexander the Great and his conquests, but in this fascinating and exciting study Frank Holt does just that. By building up a picture of the conquerors income and expenses, he assesses the strengths and weaknesses of his fiscal policies, sheds light on the economic impact of the conquest, lays some old canards to rest, and even teases out conclusions about Alexanders character. This book will change the way we look at Alexander." --Robin Waterfield, author of Dividing the Spoils and Taken at the Flood "Mr. Holt is fearless in his interrogation of both the ancient sources and the received wisdom among modern scholars...[his prose] radiates conviction and clarity." --The Wall Street Journal Feature Selling point: The first comprehensive look at Alexanders income and expenditureSelling point: Traces Alexanders reputation as a plunderer across millenniaSelling point: Offers a realistic assessment of the kings aims and actionsSelling point: Includes a guide to finding Alexanders treasures today Details ISBN0199950962 Author Frank L. Holt Short Title TREAS OF ALEXANDER THE GRT Series Onassis Series in Hellenic Culture Language English ISBN-10 0199950962 ISBN-13 9780199950966 Media Book Format Hardcover Illustrations Yes Year 2016 Subtitle How One Mans Wealth Shaped the World DEWEY 938.07 Pages 320 Position Food Historian Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Affiliation Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine Publication Date 2016-05-05 UK Release Date 2016-05-05 AU Release Date 2016-05-05 NZ Release Date 2016-05-05 US Release Date 2016-05-05 Edited by Ursula Heinzelmann Birth 1928 Qualifications MD. Publisher Oxford University Press Inc Imprint Oxford University Press Inc Alternative 9780190866259 Audience Undergraduate We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 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