Alexander's Tomb: The Two-Thousand Year Obsession to Find the Lost Conquerer by Nicholas J. Saunde

[gilda_elise]

Alexander the Great is a towering figure in world history, but despite our long-held fascination with him, his burial site is unknown. The search for Alexander's tomb began soon after his untimely death in 323 B.C. and continues even today.

The epic pursuit of the tomb spans continents and centuries, and involves some of history's most iconic figures. This is the story not of a brief and spectacular life, but of a momentous and unexplained death, multiple burials, and the seemingly never-ending quest for a man-god's final resting place. Bringing together thousands of years of speculation, as well as new questions about the ramifications of actually solving the puzzle, Alexander's Tomb is a fascinating look at one of archaeology's greatest mysteries.

It’s somewhat odd that the author would start the book by saying that “this is not an account of Alexander’s brief, spectacular life, but of his momentous and unexplained death…”, but then proceed to do just that, mostly, it seemed, to trash Hephaistion, and his role in Alexander’s life.

But that was the only problem I had with this book. Otherwise, it’s a fascination and compelling look at how Alexander’s body and crypt would be used through the ages as a means to obtain power. even once his body disappeared, anything to do with his tomb or sarcophagus, whether real or imagined, would bring fame, money, or power to its possessor.

Unfortunately, One thing it convinced me of, tthe chances of ever finding even a piece of either, or his body, are slim to none.




1. Alexander's Tomb: The Two-Thousand Year Obsession to Find the Lost Conquerer by Nicholas J. Saunders

Comments

[severina]

Glad you started the year on a mostly good reading note. I love that graphic for the Let It Snow challenge!

[gilda_elise]

It was a book well worth reading.

Me, too. The library always has a yeti and a jackalope in the graphic.

[severina]

Oh, hee, I didn't even notice that the 'man' has furry hands and feet!

[gilda_elise]

Lol, I only figured it out because I knew the yeti had to be there somewhere!

[kizzykat]

Thanks for this. Andrew Chugg wrote a book on Alexander's tomb as well and as you say, the over-riding impression is that with earthquakes, floods, riots, invasions and whatever else, there is very little hope of finding anything.

[gilda_elise]

I have Chugg's book, but haven't gotten around to reading it. And it's mentioned in this one.