Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Adrian Goldsworthy |
| Products | Biography book |
Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors is a joint biography focusing on Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great, written by historian Adrian Goldsworthy. Released in 2020 by Head of Zeus in the United Kingdom and Basic Books in the United States, this volume provides a comprehensive analysis of their leadership styles and military campaigns.
Synopsis
Covering a period of 78 years, this historical account chronicles the lives of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great, from Philip's ascendancy in Macedonia through to Alexander's demise in Babylon. Goldsworthy highlights how Alexander’s monumental successes were fundamentally grounded in Philip’s military innovations and his consolidation of the Greek city-states under Macedonian dominance. By building a formidable army and extending his domain, Philip laid the groundwork that allowed Alexander to undertake expansive conquests reaching the Achaemenid Persian Empire and territories as far as the Indus River Valley.
Philip II reshaped ancient Macedon into a preeminent regional power by conquering adjacent lands and exerting political influence over the Greek poleis. Instead of attacking ancient Athens, he forged a tactical alliance to support his forthcoming campaign against Persia. In his review for Military History Matters, Stephen Batchelor commends the book’s lucid depiction of Philip and Alexander as adept leaders, military strategists, and statesmen.
About the book
Organized into three main parts spanning 31 chapters plus an epilogue—titled "Part One: Philip II," "Part Two: Alexander and Persia," and "Part Three: Lord of Asia"—the volume features sixteen unnumbered pages with predominantly color illustrations, including maps and diagrams of battle formations. The text is underpinned by extensive notes, two appendices, a bibliography, and an index, drawing upon both ancient texts and modern academic research. Goldsworthy also tackles the difficulties involved in harmonizing divergent ancient sources throughout his narrative.
Reception
James Romm of The Wall Street Journal characterizes Goldsworthy’s Philip and Alexander as an engaging yet balanced portrayal that delivers a thorough and impartial examination. Stephen Batchelor praises it in Military History Matters as an authoritative and briskly paced work that serves both beginners and specialists interested in this historical era.
Further reading
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External links
- Head of Zeus (UK publisher)
- Author website
- Treasures from a Golden Tomb. The New York Times, 25 December 1977
- The Rise of Macedon and the Conquests of Alexander the Great. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- "The Courts of Philip II and Alexander the Great." Published by De Gruyter, 2022