The Conquests of Alexander the Great by Waldemar Heckel

Abstract

442 PHOENIX though each focuses much more on one than the other. In Lac., the ephors, like Cyrus, have the power to punish offenders on the spot. Hiero, of course, can be the law with eyes; but both by his own example of adhering to the law, and by rewarding others who do so, he can extend the success of his city beyond his lifetime (12). Both types of government strengthen their communities, though in different ways. Lycurgus produced a great military power by making the most of Sparta's limited manpower. Hiero, because of Syracuse's greater resources, could develop a strong army and build a thriving economy. Both used honor and dishonor as incentives (13). The general introduction also briefly covers Xenophon's biography, the authorship of the three works, and their textual tradition. Particularly useful are Gray's comments on Xenophon's language and style: she provides a general discussion, specific treatments of all three works, and makes observation as appropriate throughout the commentaries. The commentaries focus more on historical and literary matters and assume a fairly advanced knowledge of grammar and syntax—this book is not for students fresh out of elementary Greek—in keeping with the scope of the series. In general this is an accomplished and highly welcome addition to Xenophon studies. My one, rather minor, complaint is that the bibliography dates to a period quite a bit earlier than the date of publication. Wright State University Bruce LaForse The Conquests of Alexander the Great. By Waldemar Heckel. Cambridge University Press. 2008. Pp. xxii, 218. Waldemar Heckel, a prolific and respected contributor to Alexander Studies, aims in this book to provide for students and general readers "an intelligent introduction" to the wars of the Macedonian conqueror (ix). In nine well-paced chapters, Heckel lays out his approach and methodology, surveys the ancient sources, sketches the Macedonian background, assesses the Persian enemy, and then covers the military campaign in five phases: the defeat of Darius hi, the challenges to Alexander's authority in Central Asia, the conquest of the Punjab, the return west, and the final months in Mesopotamia. To this clear exposition, the author adds a chronological table (including king lists and sources), a glossary, and three useful appendices on Alexander's officers, troop numbers, and satrapal appointments. The bibliography is up-to-date, and the text is supported by 336 notes. Heckel understands that assigning students a book without adequate notes and bibliography is like throwing bricks to the drowning. This work offers us a balanced scholarly treatment that neither glibly heroizes Alexander nor blindly castigates him as an unstable monster. Heckel's Alexander is a pragmatist, motivated by policy rather than the selfish pursuit of irrational urges. The conqueror's most controversial actions (the siege of Tyre, journey to Siwah, invasion of India, Gedrosian march, Carmanian revels, "reign of terror") were therefore strategic calculations and not, as many writers claim, the reckless conceits of a megalomaniac. At times, however, this Alexander can appear too politic, as when Heckel suggests that the king intentionally provoked his army to balk at the Hyphasis (120-124) and issued the Exiles' Decree to incite rebellion in Greece (147). More attention might have been paid to the maps, which are bland and do not always reflect the geographical reconstructions argued in the text. Map 6, for example, shows various modern rivers that have been identified with the ancient Pinarus, but not the one BOOK REVIEWS/COMPTES RENDUS 443 (Kuru Çay) settled upon by Heckel (58-60). Similarly, Map 9 takes Craterus through the Bolan Pass, a route expressly rejected by Heckel (132). The battle diagrams, on the other hand, work well (even though Heckel apologizes for them in his Preface). There are no pictures, but Heckel paints in prose. He often employs historical parallels to enliven his analysis. He refers to the Inca, Mongols, tribal Africa, crusaders, the CIA, conquistadors, and countless other peoples and institutions from around the world. Students will find familiar names (Hamid Karzai, Princess Di, Napoleon, Peter the Great, Charlemagne) as well as some that will perhaps send them scurrying to an encyclopedia (William Yancey, Charles xn of Sweden, Isidore of Seville). The...