This volume investigates the complex interplay between historical reality and the legendary narratives that have shaped the perception of Alexander the Great. The authors, A. B. Bosworth and Elizabeth Baynham, curate a collection of essays from leading scholars in the field of Alexander studies. These contributions utilize primary source analysis and historiographical critique to distinguish between the documented actions of the Macedonian king and the subsequent myth-making that occurred in antiquity.

Experts recognize this collection as a significant contribution to advanced Alexander studies, noting its rigorous academic approach to source criticism. Readers frequently highlight the density of the prose, which is tailored specifically for scholars and students of the ancient world.