Alexander The Great

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Alexander The Great

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

This historical biography recounts the rise, conquests, and legacy of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who built one of the largest empires of the ancient world. Written for young readers, the text explores his extraordinary character, military genius, and the dramatic events of his twelve-year career, blending factual history with engaging narrative.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1849, Jacob Abbott's *Alexander the Great* chronicles the life of the Macedonian conqueror from his childhood to his death in Babylon. Abbott portrays Alexander as a figure of noble character, possessing a unique blend of Greek energy, mental acuity, and physical strength. The narrative details his early education under Aristotle, his deep affection for his friend Hephaestion, and his upbringing in an era where military prowess required personal bravery and endurance. The core of the biography focuses on Alexander's military campaigns, highlighting his decisive victory over the Persian King Darius and the arduous siege of the wealthy island city of Tyre. Abbott emphasizes Alexander's magnanimity, particularly his respectful treatment of the widowed mother of Darius, Sysigambis, whom he treated with the honor due a queen. The text also explores the political and emotional turmoil following Alexander's death. While some Greeks celebrated his passing with wild rejoicing, others mourned the loss of a protector. The book describes the grand, albeit interrupted, funeral procession, noting that Alexander's body was intended for the temple of Jupiter Ammon but was instead deposited in Alexandria by Ptolemy. Abbott concludes with a balanced assessment of his subject. He acknowledges Alexander's greatness as a conqueror who elevated himself above his fellows through extraordinary genius and energy. However, the author critiques the selfish and cruel ends to which these immense powers were devoted, characterizing Alexander as a 'robber on a vast scale.' Despite this moral critique, Abbott presents a historical figure who remains a subject of fascination across ages, driven by ambition and a desire to unite the distinct civilizations of Europe and Asia.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/jacob-abbott_alexander-the-great.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-3a6914fa7c073ae5.epub

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2026-06-30 09:44 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Biography
• History