pothos.org

Here's a Bryn Mawr Classical Review that should be of great interest to Pothosians. Unfortunately, the book is written and published in Polish, so all most of us can do is rely on the information given in the review.The book is: Marek Jan Olbrycht, Aleksander Wielki i swiat iranski [Alexander the
Great and the Iranian World]. Rzeszow, Poland: Wydawnictwo
Uniwersytetu Rzeszowskiego, 2004. Pp. 412. ISBN 83-7338-134-1http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/2006/2006-03-41.htmlThe reviewer, Tytus K. Mikolajczak, University of Gdansk, Poland, describes a book that would certainly enhance the frequent debates here on the "unification" theory, although this work claims that Alexander's intent was to combine cultures in order to rule successfully rather than deliberating spreading his own culture. Unfortunately, being the doubting Thomas that I am, I want to see the supporting documentation before I would consider supporting all Olbrycht's theories. And, regrettably, I do not speak Polish. . . :-)Best regards,Amyntoros

Looks great, doesn't it?Shame I don't speak Polish. We haven't heard from Maciek for a while. It would be unfair even to joke about him translating it all for us ... but he's the only Polish speaker I know!CheersMarcus

How absolutely fascinating. Now, that's my kind of book - just not in my language.It appears the author is taking a much less "Greek centred" view and appraoching the subject from an angle more inclusive of the Iranian or Persian view (the "Babylonian Chronicles, etc).I would give a week's wages for an English translation. What chance?? Possibly we should badger the publisher!Paralus.

it looks like a great book indeed.there's also a review on http://www.sehepunkte.historicum.net/20 ... .html.I've heard that the author was already looking for a translator a while ago, but I'm not sure whether it will be an English translation. It could be German too.

Sorry for the slow response to these posts - real life has had an annoying habit of getting in the way lately. Marcus - Maciek hasn't been on the forum since the middle of last year when he sent archeological photographs back from Iraq. And yes, even *I* wouldn't joke about him translating any excerpts from this book considering his own book was published last June and, to my knowledge, has not yet been translated into English! :-)Paralus - I too would give much for an English translation. I'm particularly intrigued by the author's theory that Alexander *did* use proskynesis for his Macedonians, despite their opposition. I'd love to find out more.Alexander, thanks for the other review - hopefully there are German-speaking members of the forum who can better appreciate it, and who will have the pleasure of reading the whole book if it ends up being translated into German. I'm afraid I'm linguistically challenged and can no more read German than I can Polish! All I know is some schoolgirl French, I'm afraid.Best regards,Amyntoros

"All I know is some schoolgirl French, I'm afraid."I too am "linguistcally challenged" Amyntoros. And, whereas I always realised French was a gender sensitive languge, I only have a smattering of schoolboy French.Id love to read the book and see the evidence on proskynesis. The idea of the ruling elite - which we both have been discussing here - also grabs my attention. As does the dilution of Macedonians in the armed forces both during Alexander's time and the Diadochoi.Bosworth does a postage stamp summation in a chapter (Macedonian Army Numbers) of his book "The Legacy of Alexander - Politics, Warfare, and Propaganda under the Successors" (Oxford University Press, 2002). He apparently is working on a larger work covering the Diadochoi. another must read.Meanwhile, I need to find a copy of what remains of Arrian's work on the Successors...Paralus.

Hi Paralus,Does anything remain of Arrian's work on the Successors other than the brief summation in Photius? I don't know of any extant pieces myself, (would love to read them if they exist), but perhaps something is to be found in the FGH?Best regards,Amyntoros

There are a few fragments other than Photius summary: a vatican palimpsest-sheet discovered at the end of the 19th century, one rather small papyrus fragment and another palimpsest-sheet from G+¦teborg. (on the latter see B. Dreyer, GÇÿZum ersten Diadochenkrieg. Der G+¦teborger Arrian-Palimpsest (ms Graec 1)GÇÖ, ZPE 125 (1999), pp. 39-60, available online: http://www.uni-koeln.de/phil-fak/ifa/zp ... f/125.html, but unfortunatley in German)A translation of Photius' summary and the vatican palimpsest is online at http://attalus.org/translate/fgh.html#156.0. As far as I know there's no published English translation of the G+¦teborg fragment (which was discovered only in 1977 and published in 1983).Pat Wheatley is working on a new edition of all fragments with english translation and commentary for Brill's new Jacoby. (a 'new', English edition of FGrH).regards,
abm

Hmmm, I posted a response earlier today and I could have sworn it went through . . .Anyway, ABM, just wanted to thank you for this information and tell you that you're a gem! I'd better start saving now for Brill's new Jacoby, even though it may be a long time before it sees the light of day. Have a feeling it will be a very expensive book.Best regards,Amyntoros

I'm afraid you better start saving indeed. If the original structure is maintained, the commentary will be in a separate volume, which means you'll have to buy two Brill-books. That will probably cost about $400.

OUCH!! Well . . . I could stick $5 a week in an envelope as I assume it will be a couple of years before the book is finally published. The problem is that while the money is accumulating there will be other expensive (but less so) books released that I know I'll want to buy. It's a pity that Pothosians don't live closer together - we could have a community fund and share the book!

Best regards,

Amyntoros

abm wrote:I'm afraid you better start saving indeed. If the original structure is maintained, the commentary will be in a separate volume, which means you'll have to buy two Brill-books. That will probably cost about $400. :?

As we'd exclaim here: "Strike me bloody pink!" I too had best start at some five or so per week.

Sorry to have been away for some time. I only know of it through quoted passages in academic works Amyntoros. "abm", thanks for the links - makes one somewhat more than melancholy to realise what has been lost.

Wonder if Arrian treated any of the Diadochoi with the near reverential deference he paid to his hero Alexander at times?

paralus wrote:Sorry to have been away for some time.

Good to see you back, Paralus. For a while there I thought we'd lost you!

G'day Amyntoros.

Yes - off for a camping/fishing trip. Not without reading material of course: a re-read of "Alexander The Great in Fact and Fiction". Well, at least those chapters of most interest (Bosworth's imperial comparison).

You shouldn't have been concerned, I have never strayed from those who challenge, educate and interest me. Your "Pixodorous" thread is a classic example - deserving of the response.

I have not responded as I've not much to say on it other than to suggest that Philip - as always - knew....not here.

just received Brill's Classical Studies E-Bulletin. Apparently there will also be an online version of Brill's New Jacoby:

Announcing a NEW ONLINE REFERENCE WORK: BrillGÇÖs New Jacoby --The NEW standard reference work on the Greek historical fragments.
Brill will shortly be announcing a new forthcoming online reference work: Brill's New Jacoby. This completely new edition of Jacoby brings the great work fully up to date with abundant new commentaries in English by contemporary scholars, as well as en face English translations of the Greek texts. General Editor is Ian Worthington (University of MissouriGÇöColumbia). More information will be announced via this E-Bulletin and via www.brillsnewjacoby.com (site under construction). If you would like to receive the latest news directly please send your e-mail address to brillsnewjacoby@brill.nl.

The question is, of course, whether the online version will be cheaper than the printed one. I'm afraid it won't. Another question is whether it will be really worth the money for individuals to buy it. It is not really a new edition, the fragments of the Alexander historians are translated by Robinson (The History of Alexander the Great) and a translation of the fragmentary Successor histories is on http://www.attalus.org/translate/fgh.html Personally, I would spend my money on the many other interesting and affordable books published in the meantime, instead of saving for an unaffordable Brill-book.