Alexander the Great ─ The Anabasis and the Indica

"He was a man like no other man has ever been"

In twelve years that changed the world, Alexander the Great conquered a vast empire, extending from the Danube to the rivers of the Punjab, and from Egypt to Uzbekistan. Arrian, a Greek man of letters, military commander, and holder of the highest political offices in both Rome and Athens, wrote the definitive account of Alexander's life and campaigns, published as the Anabasis. A dramatic fast-moving story, told with great narrative skill, his work is now our prime and most detailed source for the history of Alexander--a compelling account of an exceptional leader, brilliant, ruthless, passionate, and complex.

Martin Hammond's engaging translation-new for this volume--is fully alive to the literary qualities of Arrian's prose, making this the most readable and attractive modern version. This is also the only edition of the Anabasis to include Arrian's companion piece, the Indica, a fascinating account of the voyage of Alexander's fleet from south India to the Persian Gulf, with descriptions of the geography, customs, and natural curiosities of India. John Atkinson's Introduction sets Arrian in his historical context and describes the life of Alexander as it is reflected in his work.

In addition. this volume includes extensive notes that identify historical references and allusions, and highlight the interplay of historical and literary issues. Lastly readers will also find three invaluable appendices, maps and site plans, and a comprehensive analytical index.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Martin Hammond has taught at St Paul's School, Harrow School, and Eton College, where he was Head of Classics from 1974 to 1980. He was Headmaster of Tonbridge School from 1990 until his retirement in 2005. He has translated Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations for Penguin, and is the translator of Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War for Oxford World's Classics.

John Atkinson has taught at the universities of Zimbabwe, South Africa in Pretoria, and Cape Town. His publications include commentaries on Curtius Rufus's histories of Alexander, including the introduction and commentary to accompany John Yardley's translation of Book 10 for the Clarendon Ancient History Series.