W. W. TarnReseñas

W. W. Tarn was one of the eminent ancient historians prior to the 1940s.

Biographers are often a product of their times, and so is Tarn. Sexuality in ancient times was perceived differently than it was around WWII or even today. Alexander had sexual relationships with both men and women, with what seems his most enduring relationship a homosexual one with Hephaestion. Yet Tarn fails to acknowledge this relationship, possibly because in his era homosexuality was viewed with disgust and dishonor. Yet this homosexual relationship is part of Alexander's story, and one that Tarn neglects and even hides.

The map furnished at the back of the book is quite good, showing the ancient world across two pages with Alexander's route of conquest superimposed. The map also has a useful index separate from that of the book's text.

There are better biographies of Alexander, but Tarn's map is still useful.½

The period beginning with Alexander was an extended squabble over the spoils of his achievement. The conflict led to a high level of innovation, and well-paid positions for soldiers and engineers. Tarn has collected and analyzed a good deal of evidence covering the changes in soldierly technology. A pretty good book for the non-classically trained.½

Fantasy about a girl who gets involved with Faery on the Isle of Skye. Rather oddly, some of the faery-folk seem to be Greek, perhaps because Tarn was a noted Classical scholar (chiefly on Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Greeks in the east.) I seem to recall I got this as an adult, not as a child.

Well-known, but excessively biased in favor of Alexander. I doubt he was either as idealistic or as moral as Tarn claims.
My views are closer to Badian's

Tarn is, of course, great. But he's only for experienced Alexander-explorers. Many of his facts and virtually all of his interpretation is now either overturned or in serious doubt. At this point, he's more useful as an example of what can go wrong in the study of Alexander--and history generally--and for his writing than for the content itself.½

Edition: // Descr: xix, 161 p. : map (1) 20.5 cm. // Series: Call No. { } Contains Index. // //

Edition: Third Edition // Descr: xi, 372 p. 18 cm. // Series: Call No. { 948 T12 } Third Edition Revised by the Author and G.T. Griffith Contains Index. // //