Amelie Kuhrt Knihy

An essential text which provides a lucid, up-to-date narrative, incorporating the latest archaeological and textual discoveries. Winner of the AHS's 1997 James Henry Brested Award. číst celé

Ce livre n’est pas une biographie d’Alexandre le Grand (356-323 av. J.-C.), figure historique célèbre pour ses conquêtes et l’empire qu’il parvint à édifier. À travers le sort de ce personnage fascinant qui régna sur trois continents, des questions plus générales se posent : quelle est l’origine de la domination d’Alexandre ? Comment comprendre ses objectifs ? Quelle était la situation de l’adversaire, l’empire perse-achéménide, et quelles résistances la conquête y a-t-elle suscitées ? Comment, enfin, l’empire s’est-il organisé, avec quels rapports entre les conquérants et les populations conquises ? Car, au-delà de la seule personne d’Alexandre le Grand, c’est un véritable phénomène historique que Pierre Briant analyse et dont il met en relief les principaux caractères.

The Achaemenid dynasty (550-330 BC) presided over the first and largest world empire in history, stretching from the Babylonians in the east to the Jews and Greeks in the west, with influence reaching the Indian subcontinent. Its vastness contributed to its downfall by Alexander the Great, yet its legacy endures in the development of Judaism, the Old Testament, and classical Greece. Historically, studying Achaemenid history has been challenging due to the diverse origins, languages, and periods of original sources, often leading to reliance on biased Greek and Roman accounts. Am lie Kuhrt offers a groundbreaking collection of key texts that provides a comprehensive and balanced view of the empire, translating from Greek, Old Persian, Akkadian, Hebrew, Aramaic, Egyptian, and Latin. Her selection includes classical writings, the Old Testament, royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and Babylonian historical accounts, alongside archaeological evidence. Each piece is accompanied by a detailed introduction and interpretative guidelines. This monumental collection serves as an essential resource for anyone studying Persian history, from undergraduates to advanced scholars.