Short list of recommended resources for Alexander/Alexandria

This list is for those who would like to do a little background research for the upcoming program about Alexander and Alexandria, but don't have much time. The emphasis is on resources that are concise, easily accessible in a variety of formats, and aimed at a general (rather than scholarly) audience.

There are, of course, innumerable biographies of Alexander the Great, but if you are looking for a short, readable, and lavishly illustrated introduction to his life and historical impact, try Alexander the Great: Son of the Gods by Alan Fildes and Joann Fletcher (Paperback, 2004; 176pp).  Alexander’s life has also been the subject of many TV and video documentaries, of variable quality.  The History Channel’s The True Story of Alexander the Great (2004; 2hrs 30min; available on Netflix) gives a reasonably balanced account drawing on both ancient and modern sources with high-quality production values.

Alexandria: Jewel of Egypt by Jean-Yves Empereur (part of the excellent Discoveries series) provides a concise, but richly illustrated, overview of Alexandria’s history from its founding in 331 BCE to its modern role as Egypt’s second city and includes selected extracts from historical documents and literary sources.  (Paperback, 2002; 158 pp.)  A thorough historical analysis of Alexandria’s role as the center of Hellenistic culture may be found in The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern World by Justin Pollard and Howard Reid (Paperback, 2006; 329pp; also available in Kindle and Audiobook formats). 

The Egyptology Online website provides a capsule history of the city, while the significance of the ancient Library and its modern re-incarnation are discussed on the travel-oriented site, Sacred Destinations.

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