Alexander the Great was one of the most brilliant and charismatic heroes of the ancient world. He likened himself to Achilles, the legendary warrior of Homeric tradition, and he loved to quote passages about him from The Iliad. He was also very curious. As he traveled from Greece across Asia and parts of Africa on his military campaigns, he took every opportunity to study the local flora and fauna as well as to understand the customs of the people. Often he sent specimens of plants back to his teacher and mentor, Aristotle.

West Meets East traces Alexander’s journey to such exotic places as Babylon, Memphis (Egypt), Persepolis, and the Punjab, honing in upon the differences and similarities between Western (Greek) culture and those of the East. It explores such religions as Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and it contrasts the autocratic regimes of the Persians and Egyptians to the democratic principles of the Greeks.

The famous battles are fully described, demonstrating how Alexander’s masterful strategic planning and lightning-fast reflexes made him an invincible conqueror. He was a remarkable leader who never lost a battle. A major element of his success was his relationship with his men. This book explores how his embracing of certain eastern traditions negatively affected this relationship and hobbled his military ambitions.

The story of Alexander is filled with colorful characters, mythical and historical  – Philip II of Macedon, Aristotle, Parmenio, Kings Cyrus and Darius of Persia, Achilles, Roxanne (Alexander’s great love), and many more – and they are brought to life in this lively narrative.

Upon his death at the age of 32, Alexander’s vast empire covered more than 2 million square miles, stretching from Greece to India and across Egypt. He had founded 18 new cities and promoted a blending of eastern and western cultures and laid the groundwork for the Hellenistic Age.

West Meets East  can serve as the basis for a study unit. It can also be used in conjunction with The Story of Ancient Greece, providing a comprehensive sequel to ancient Greek civilization at its height and an enlightening  link to the Hellenistic period.

Table of Contents

Part I: The Early Years
1. Beginnings
2. A Master Teacher
3. King Philip
4. The New King
5. The Persians

Part II: King of Asia
6. Confrontation with the Persians
7. Conquest of the Asian Coast
8. Sojourn in Egypt
9. The Rematch
10. The Persian Heartland

Part III: Pushing the Limits
11. Alexander Reaches the Eastern Frontier
12. On to India!
13. The Journey Back
14. Forging a New Society