Age of Conquests: The Greek World from Alexander to Hadrian (336 BC - AD 138)

The imperial dynasties of Alexander the Great's successors created a new land empire, the Hellenistic period was a period of fragmentation, violent antagonism, and struggles for independence, but it was also a period of growth, prosperity, and intellectual achievement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2019
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

The ancient world that Alexander the Great transformed in his lifetime underwent yet another transformation following his demise. The imperial dynasties of his successors, in their pursuit of power and consolidation, incorporated and reorganized the fallen Persian empire, creating a vast new land empire that stretched from the shores of the Mediterranean to as far east as Bactria. In ancient Greece, a delicate balance of power was constantly disrupted by wars, marking a period of constant strife. However, from the late third century onwards, the military and diplomatic prowess of Rome gradually defeated and dismantled every post-Alexandrian political structure. This period, known as the Hellenistic period (c. 323-30 BC), was characterized by fragmentation, violent antagonism between large states, and struggles by small polities to retain an illusion of independence. Despite these challenges, it was also a time of remarkable growth, prosperity, and intellectual achievement. A vast network of trade, influence, and cultural contact spread across the globe, enriching and enlivening centers of wealth, power, and intellectual ferment. From Alexander the Great's early days of building an empire, through wars with Rome, the ravages of pirates, the death of Cleopatra, and the Jewish diaspora, to the reign of Hadrian, Chaniotis delves into the social structures, economic trends, political upheaval, and technological progress of an era that spans five centuries. This period, often considered the cradle of modernity, witnessed profound changes that laid the foundation for the world we know today.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 194 x 128 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781846682971
Edition number: Main