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Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire  By  cover art

Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire

By: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
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Publisher's summary

Alexander the Great - one of the most renowned figures in antiquity - has inspired everything from medieval romances to blockbuster movies, and military leaders from Julius Caesar to Napoleon to the U.S. general Norman Schwarzkopf. But who was this great king of Macedon? And why is he so legendary?

Go beyond the myth and learn about the man who changed the face of the ancient world and laid the foundation for the great traditions of the Roman Empire - all in fewer than 12 years. These 36 spellbinding lectures take you deep inside the world of Alexander to witness the astonishing feats of military genius that made his name renowned for millennia after his death.

Through this detailed portrait, you'll go beyond the legends and the myths to truly understand what made Alexander great. Along the way, several Alexanders emerge: the military general, Macedonian king, Persian emperor, Egyptian pharaoh, and leader of the Hellenic League. You learn about the many aspects of this extraordinary individual - his passions, extraordinary talents, and the training that helped mold his character. You'll learn how battles were fought and won in the ancient world and examine Alexander's great martial achievements within this larger military history. You'll also head onto the battlefield to analyze some of Alexander's greatest triumphs, including the Battle of the Granicus River and the Battle of the Hydaspes River.

Alexander's empire did not survive beyond his lifetime, but his legacy has cast a long shadow on the history of the West. Join Professor Harl for this journey into the world of Alexander and see how the Western world - and, indeed, our world - still bear the marks of this legendary conqueror.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire

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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow! The Best History Course I've Listened To

The professor that presents this course kept me entertained for 36 lectures. I've listened to a few other courses. Some were good and a couple were bad, this is the best.

It felt like the professor was going to jump out of my phone. He knew his information and loved presenting it. The whole course is in chronological order which I love. I highly recommend it if you want to learn everything about Alexander the Great!

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Professor knows his stuff

I've been going down the list of everything Prof. Harl has from the Teaching Company. This guy is great!

Love his encyclopedic knowledge, the random tidbits he inserts into his lectures, and his sense if humor. Really keeps me engaged even when covering more mundane chapters like taxation in Alexander's empire (ugh).

Fully recommend. I now understand why there will never, ever be a Hollywood movie / story / whatever that could ever do Alexander justice. The scope of his story is far too large. Truly the most deserving of the title "Great" of any human being in history.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Tedious

What disappointed you about Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire?

I found the lectures to stray from the topic, and didn't illuminate the significance of the dates and events that were mentioned. My view is that the lectures by Dr. Harl were quite dull despite the potential that this topic (Alexander) holds. Dr. Harl clearly knows his dates and details well, but I don't think he puts everything into perspective by identifying the significance of the details, some of which were frequently unrelated to the topic.

Would you ever listen to anything by The Great Courses again?

Yes.

Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Kenneth W. Harl’s performances?

No.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Alexander, the Man and the Legend

Audiobooks focusing on one individual usually don't excite me, but this academic journey shows us Alexander as an extraordinary human being in extraordinary circumstances. Not a legend. Not godlike.

That doesn't mean his story is any less exciting up close. Worth the buy. I give it 4 stars in Story because the professor takes so long explaining the world and Macedonia before Alexander's birth to set the stage.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent!!!

Would you listen to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire again? Why?

A great story about one of the most amazing personalities ever.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alexander comes across as one of a kind.

Which scene was your favorite?

Professor Harl depicts battles and sieges with pasion and precision.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable history about a fascinating time.

Professor Harl is a great admirer of Alexander and it shows through in his passion for this subject. His knowledge is outstanding, as is his ability to make the story come alive again through his excellent voice and speaking ability. I have enjoyed all his courses so far and I think he is the perfect guy for this tale of epic conquest.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Course

What did you love best about Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire?

Professor Harl presents the story of Alexander from a variety of viewpoints and is historically solid in analysis and his compelling storytelling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Antigens the One Eye because of his name.

What does Professor Kenneth W. Harl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Humor.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I had never realized Alexander reached India and had an impact on that civilization.

Any additional comments?

Professor Harl pronounces "ally" and "allies" a little strangely, but it adds to his charm.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

captivating and enthusiastic.

Professor Harl - was captivating and enthusiastic. My understanding of Alexander's life was deeply enriched. I was skeptical of 36 lectures but found myself eager to hear the next one. I will probably relished to this multiple times. thank you Professor Harl

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Lost in minutiae

Having enjoyed several of the lecture series I have abandoned the Alexander the Great narrative. The overall story is written with boring details with a droning voice, a recipe for bedtime.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I'm fascinsted by history, but...

There were a lot of distractingly bad audio splices throughout the lectures. I'd suggest something else if you want to learn about Alexander.

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3 people found this helpful