Alexander the Great
- The background to Alexander, including the nature of Macedonian kingship and political institutions; the expansion of Macedon under Philip II and the emergence of Macedon as a Mediterranean power; and Alexander’s education, early experiences and accession to the throne
The nature of the sources most relevant to the interpretations and representations of Alexander, for example: the writings of Plutarch, Arrian, and Curtius Rufus (including their own sources); Macedonian and Hellenistic representations (for example coins and statues); and Roman (literary and portraiture), Medieval (including art) and modern representations (including film and the work of modern historians for example Robin Lane Fax and Brian Bosworth)
The different interpretations and representations of Alexander (from the ancient past to the present), including Alexander as ‘the great general’, the philhellene, the founder of cities; and representations of his character and personality (for example Alexander’s official portraiture), Alexander as god (Siwah), his relationships with his generals and troops (the murder of Cleitos), and his relations with Persia (the burning of Persepolis and the marriages at Susa)
The historical context of the interpretations and representations and why these have changed over time, including romantic representations, the model of generalship, and changing ideas about violence and imperialism
The reliability and contestability of interpretations and representations of Alexander in ancient and modern written sources, images and film, including the significance of source selection, omission, emphasis and gaps in evidence