Alexander the Great and Persia: From Conqueror to King of Asia

Alexander the Great visited the tomb of King Cyrus in Pasargadae, which had been desecrated and looted. He tortured the tomb guards, executed the Persian provincial governor, and refurbished the tomb. This episode reflects Alexander's complex relationship with Persia, where he displayed both pragmatism and destruction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Upon his return from India, Alexander the Great embarked on a journey to the Persian royal city of Pasargadae, where he paid his respects at the tomb of King Cyrus, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The Macedonian king was deeply moved by his admiration for Cyrus and was disgusted to discover that his tomb had been desecrated and looted. In a fit of rage, Alexander ordered the torture of the tomb guards, the execution of the Persian provincial governor, and the refurbishment of the tomb. This episode, involving the tomb of Cyrus, serves as one of many case studies in Alexander's complex relationship with Persia. At times, Alexander displayed a pragmatic approach, sparing his defeated enemies and adopting Persian customs. For instance, Sisygambis, the mother of Persian King Darius III, allegedly came to view Alexander as a son and starved herself at the news of his demise. On other occasions, he exhibited a ruthless and destructive side, famously torching the palace at Persepolis and earning himself the nickname "the accursed." This conflicting nature gives Alexander a complex legacy in the Persian world. Joseph Stiles delves into Alexander the Great's fascinating relationship with his vast empire, unraveling the motives and influences behind his policies and actions as the King of Asia.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399094412