History of Alexander, Volume II - Books 6–10

Quintus Curtius was apparently a rhetorician who lived in the first century of the Roman empire and, early in the reign of Claudius (AD 41- 54), wrote a history of Alexander the Great in 10 books in clear and picturesque style for Latin readers. The first two books have not survived- our narrative begins with events in 333 BC- and there is material missing from books V, VI, and X. One of his main sources is Cleitarchus who, about 300 BC, had made Alexander's career a matter of marvellous adventure. Curtius is not a critical historian; and in his desire to entertain and to stress the personality of Alexander, he elaborates effective scenes, omits much that is important for history, and does not worry about chronology. But he does not invent things, except speeches and letters inserted into the narrative by traditional habit. 'I copy more than I believe', he says. Three features of his story are narrative of exciting experiences, development of a hero's character, and a disposition to moralise. His history is one of the five extant works on which we rely for the career of Alexander the Great. The Loeb Classical Library edition of Quintus Curtius is in two volumes.

About the author

John Carew Rolfe (1859–1943) taught at Cornell, Harvard, and the Universities of Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Summary

Quintus Curtius wrote a history of Alexander the Great. The first two of ten books have not survived and material is missing from books 5, 6, and 10. Curtius narrates exciting experiences, develops his hero’s character, moralizes, and provides one of the five extant works that are evidence for Alexander’s career.

Product details

• Authors: Quintus Curtius, Quintus Curtius Rufus, Curtius Quintus, Quintus Curtius
• Assisted by: J. C. Rolfe (Translation), J.C. Rolfe (Translation)
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.1946
• EAN: 9780674994072
• ISBN: 978-0-674-99407-2
• Weight: 399 g
• Illustrations: 1 map, index
• Series: Loeb Classical Library; Loeb Classical Library; Loeb Classical Library *CONTINS TO [e-mail]
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature > Essays, feuilletons, literary criticism, interviews; Humanities, art, music > History > Antiquity; Essays, LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Essays, Literary essays