Olympias: Mother of Alexander the Great

by Elizabeth Carney

Overview

The definitive guide to the life of the first woman to play a major role in Greek political history, this is the first modern biography of Olympias.

Presenting a critical assessment of a fascinating and wholly misunderstood figure, Elizabeth Carney penetrates myth, fiction and sexual politics and conducts a close examination of Olympias through historical and literary sources, and brings her to life as she places the figure in the context of her own ancient, brutal political world.

Individual examinations look at:

• the role of Greek religion in Olympias' life
• literary and artistic traditions about Olympias found throughout the later ancient periods
• varying representations of Olympias found in the major ancient sources.

An absolutely compelling read for students, scholars, and anyone with an interest in Greek, Classical, or women’s history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134318186
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/27/2006
Series:	Women of the Ancient World
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Elizabeth Carney

Table of Contents

Preface. Significant Events. Aeacid Family Tree. Argead Family Tree. Abbreviations. Introduction 1. Olympias the Molossian 2. Olympias, Wife of Philip II 3. Olympias, Mother of the King, Alexander the Great 4. Olympias on Her Own, 323–316 5. Olympias and Religion 6. Olympias' Afterlife. Appendix: Olympias and the Sources. Glossary. Notes. Bibliography. Index