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Series
The Alexander trilogy follows Alexander from childhood at the Macedonian court through the conquest of the Achaemenid Empire and into the violent struggle that followed his death. Fire from Heaven concentrates on his formation under Philip II, Olympias and Aristotle; The Persian Boy narrates the later campaigns through Bagoas, a Persian courtier who becomes Alexander's companion.
Funeral Games shifts to the generals, royal women and heirs competing for the empire after 323 BC. Together, the novels combine intimate relationships with the political and military transformation that created the Hellenistic world.
Reading order
Alexander grows up inside the divided court of Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, learning early that family affection, dynastic survival and political loyalty cannot be separated. His taming of Bucephalus, friendship with Hephaestion and education under Aristotle help shape the confidence with which he imagines…
Bagoas, a Persian aristocrat's son, is captured, enslaved and made a eunuch before entering the court of Darius III. After the Achaemenid defeat, he is brought to Alexander and chooses to remain with the Macedonian king, becoming his companion and interpreting the Persian court Alexander has…
Alexander dies in Babylon without naming a capable adult successor. Perdiccas attempts to preserve the empire under the nominal kingship of Philip III and the unborn child of Roxana, while generals, infantry leaders and royal women compete to control the settlement. Roxana eliminates rivals, Ptolemy diverts…