Geschichte Alexanders des Grossen by Johann Gustav Droysen

(24 User reviews)   4784
By Rebecca King Posted on Jan 2, 2026
In Category - Theology
Droysen, Johann Gustav, 1808-1884 Droysen, Johann Gustav, 1808-1884
German
Hey, have you ever wondered how a single person could change the world forever? I just finished this incredible book about Alexander the Great, and it's not your typical dry history lesson. Written in the 1800s, it reads like an epic adventure story. The author, Droysen, makes you feel like you're right there with Alexander as he marches across continents, faces impossible odds, and builds an empire that stretched from Greece to India. The real mystery isn't just how he did it, but why. What drives a person to conquer the known world? This book tries to get inside his head. It's a thrilling ride through ancient battlefields and royal courts, and it completely changed how I see this legendary figure. If you like stories about ambition, power, and the sheer force of human will, you need to check this out.
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again gladly acknowledge the gracious and untiring services of my wife. The illustrations, which, it is hoped, add considerably to the interest of the book, have been collected from many sources. Many of the highly informational “restorations” included are from the monumental work of Jakob von Falke, _Hellas und Rom_, the English version whereof has long ceased to be available to American readers. W. S. D. THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xxi Chapter I. The General Aspect of the City SECTION 1. The Prosperity of Rome in the Reign of Hadrian (A.D. 117–138) 1 2. Increasing Glory of the Imperial City 2 3. Population and Crowded Condition of Rome 3 4. The Country around Rome 5 5. The Tiber and Its Valley 6 6. A View over Rome from the Campus Martius 7 7. The Seven Hills of Rome 9 8. Building Materials Used in Rome 10 9. The Great Use of Concrete 11 10. Greek Architectural Forms Plus the Arch and Vault 12 Chapter II. Streets and Street Life 11. The Regions of Rome: Fashionable and Plebeian Quarters 15 12. A Typical Short Street, “Mercury Street” 16 13. The House and Shop Fronts 18 14. Street Shrines and Fountains 20 15. Typical Street Crowds 21 16. Frequent Use of Greek in Rome 22 17. Clamor and Thronging in the Streets 23 18. The Processions Attending Great Nobles 24 19. A Great Lady Traveling 25 20. Public Salutations: the Kissing Habit 26 21. The Swarms of Idlers and Parasites 27 22. Public Placards and Notices 28 23. Wall Scribblings 30 24. The Streets Dark and Dangerous at Night 32 25. Discomforts of Life in Rome 33 Chapter III. The Homes of the Lowly and of the Mighty 26. The Great _Insulæ_--Tenement Blocks 34 27. A Typical Insula 35 28. The Flats in an Insula 36 29. The Cheap Attic Tenements and Their Poor Occupants 37 30. A Senatorial “Mansion” (_Domus_) 39 31. The Plan of a Large Residence 40 32. Entrance to the Residence 42 33. The Atrium and the View across It 42 34. The Rooms in the Rear and the _Peristylium_ 44 35. The Dining Room (_Triclinium_) and the Chapel 45 36. The Garden and the Slaves’ Quarters 47 37. The Floors and Windows 49 38. Frescos, Beautiful and Innumerable 50 39. The Profusion of Statues and Art Objects 51 40. Family Portrait Busts 52 41. Death Masks (_Imagines_) 54 42. Couches, Their General Use 54 43. Elegant Chairs and Costly Tables 55 44. Chests, Cabinets, Water Clocks, and Curios 57 45. Spurious Antiques 58 46. Pet Animals 58 Chapter IV. Roman Women and Roman Marriages 47. Honorable Status of Roman Women 60 48. Men Reluctant to Marry 61 49. Rights and Privileges of Married Women 61 50. Selection of Husbands for Young Girls 63 51. A Marriage Treaty among Noble-Folk 64 52. A Betrothal in Wealthy Circles 65 53. Adjusting the Dowry 66 54. Dressing the Bride 66 55. The Marriage Ceremonies 67 56. The Wedding Procession 69 57. At the Bridegroom’s House 70 58. Honors and Liberties of a Matron 71 59. Unhappy Marriages and Frivolous Women 72 60. Divorces, Easy and Frequent 74 61. Celibacy Common: Old Families Dying Out 75 62. Nobler Types of Women 75 63. Famous and Devoted Wives 76 64. The Story of Turia 78 Chapter V. Costume and Personal Adornment 65. The Type of Roman Garments 80 66. The Toga, the National Latin Garment 81 67. Varieties of Togas 83 68. Draping the Toga 83 69. The Tunica 84 70. Capes, Cloaks, and Gala Garments...

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Johann Gustav Droysen's Geschichte Alexanders des Grossen is a classic biography that brings the ancient world to life. Forget dusty dates and lists of battles. Droysen paints a vivid picture of Alexander's journey from a young Macedonian prince to the ruler of a vast empire.

The Story

The book follows Alexander's incredible life. It starts with his education under Aristotle and his early struggles to secure his throne after his father's death. Then, it kicks into high gear with his invasion of the Persian Empire. We follow his major victories at battles like Issus and Gaugamela, his push into Egypt where he was declared a pharaoh, and his grueling campaign into India. Droysen doesn't just tell us what happened; he shows us the political intrigue, the loyalty of his soldiers, and the constant challenges of holding a fractured empire together.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is Droysen's perspective. Writing in the 19th century, he saw Alexander not just as a conqueror, but as a world-changing force who spread Greek culture and ideas, shaping the future. He presents Alexander as a brilliant, complex, and often ruthless leader driven by a mix of destiny, ambition, and a desire for glory. You get a real sense of the man behind the legend—his strategic genius, his moments of mercy and brutality, and the personal costs of his endless campaigns.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect read for anyone who loves epic historical narratives. It's for the reader who wants more than facts—they want the drama, the personality, and the big ideas. While it's an older text, its storytelling energy makes it accessible. If you've ever been fascinated by tales of immense power and the people who wield it, Droysen's portrait of Alexander is a compelling and thought-provoking place to start.



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Lucas Miller
1 year ago

Without a doubt, it provides a comprehensive overview perfect for everyone. Thanks for sharing this review.

Elijah Martinez
1 year ago

Read this on my tablet, looks great.

Christopher Johnson
1 year ago

Honestly, it challenges the reader's perspective in an intellectual way. Absolutely essential reading.

Joseph Ramirez
1 year ago

Great read!

Nancy Robinson
1 year ago

Very interesting perspective.

5
5 out of 5 (24 User reviews )

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