1. How did you get interested in the life of Alexander III of Macedon and ancient Macedonia?
I became interested in the life of Alexander III of Macedon and ancient Macedonia after reading a book about him. When I was about 16 years old, my European History class assignment was to research and write a paper about a historical figure, choosing one from an exhaustive list. My father had examined the list, saw Alexander's name, and suggested I research him, having felt a compulsion to recommend the young warrior-king. I agreed since I had always been attracted to the ancient Mediterranean, and thought it would be fun. Once I read the first few pages of the book, however, I was suddenly entranced. It was an immediate, extraordinary bond. Since then, I have researched and loved Alexander and his homeland.
Painting by Nimloth87
2. Why is your book titled "In the Theater of the World"?
A quote of Alexander inspired the title: "I shall not fail in my duty and wherever I battle I shall believe myself to be playing to the theater of the world". I contemplated that for some time as I organized the manuscript, believing Alexander viewed his ambitions and experiences through the lens of an actor, living his life on a stage. Thus, the novel's style and them is theater.
3. Many books have been written on the life of Alexander the Great. What makes your book different than everything previously written?
The writing style is lyrical, theatrical, and written in the narrative person by Alexander himself. He candidly speaks to the reader, retelling his adolescent years. I felt compelled to give Alexander a voice so as to share with the reader everything about himself, what causes and conditions made him to be Master of the World, his experiences with his family, friends, his cherished steed, his education, his rite of passage episodes, and his early battles. It is an immersion into the adolescence of Alexander.
4. Why did you decide to write about the life of Alexander at the age of 13 to 20?
It illustrates and explains the early evolution of the historical Alexander the Great. What was he like before he became king of Macedonia and spread the Macedonian Empire in the East? My intent was to share with today's adolescent and adult reader a historical individual whose cosmopolitan mind transcended his contemporary setting; a youth who aspired and accomplished his goals amidst hardships, demonstrating perseverance that would inspire today's youth and adult, he having similar circumstances not at all different from a person of the 21st century.
5. In your opinion, was the character of Alexander III of Macedon as a king and military commander built in those adolescent days?
Yes, it was throughout his childhood and adolescence that his character as king and military commander was developed. I believe, too, his fervent spirituality and strong sense of self nurtured and fortified him. The novel fully expresses his spirituality and confidence.
6. To what extent is your book based on historical facts? Or is it more fictional?
Extensive cultural facts interlace with both historical and fictional scenes. There is little historical literatures on Alexander’s adolescence, therefore, some social scenes have been invented; other episodes are historical with some enhancement.
7. What was your inspiration for the book?
The combination of fascination, enthusiasm and passion for Alexander the Great and his homeland of Macedonia, driven by the need to give him a voice amidst other works concerning him, inspired the novel.
8. What is your favorite thought of Alexander and why?
Among many thoughts and events of Alexander, the single event I frequently imagine is the scene of the Multanese Citadel, during the Mallian Campaign in India 325BCE. Alexander was 28 years old, believed himself to be invincible and immortal, and scaled the citadel wall, alone. His impatience drove him to begin the siege himself. He scaled a ladder, reached the wall's crest, and climbed over it, two soldiers following behind him; other soldiers sought to protect him, but the ladder broke, leaving them outside the wall; Alexander and the two accompanying soldiers faced the Indian army. Engagement between the three Macedonians and the Indian army resulted in successfully deflecting the Indian missiles, though with the deaths of the two soldiers, and Alexander wounded in the lung by a long-range, six-foot arrow. Bleeding heavily, Alexander fell to the ground, yet attempted to stand so as to climb the wall and escape. His strength failed him, loosing blood at an accelerated rate, and collapsed on the ground again. One Indian soldier, thinking Alexander was dead, began to strip his body of his armor. Remarkably, Alexander harnessed all the remaining energy he had, and stabbed the Indian soldier. This behavior demonstrates to me the timeless essence of Alexander and the Macedonians - resolute and indomitable.
9. Are Americans, in general, familiar with Alexander and ancient Macedonia?
Americans are familiar with Alexander and ancient Macedonia insofar as the brief information we read in high school textbooks. Only those who are curious about Alexander post high school education pursue more scholarship. Interestingly, for me, it was not what I learned about him in the classroom; it was reading the books and the articles, and seeing the 1982 "Search For Alexander" exhibit that propelled me into my life-long research.
10. What is your response to the allegations that Alexander was an ancient mass murderer, not a historical figure who deserves to be celebrated?
With all of my years of research, and respecting ancient traditions and civilizations, Alexander is not to be classified as a mass murderer, for in my opinion the definition of a 'mass murderer' is dissimilar to the nature and actions of Alexander the Great. He was no different from any other warrior, warrior-king, conqueror, and he had both a dark and light side, as all humans have. He was a builder and a destroyer. No different from any other historical figure in world history. Alexander will always have his detractors and supporters, all contingent on the education they received concerning Alexander. I have known both detractors and supporters, and both will substantiate their claims, referencing sources. Again, the sources influence the judgment of the reader. There are ancient authors who, having accounted Alexander's exploits and actions, embellished the details. A reader discovers this when contrasting authors and scholars, always sensitive to the culture and time period of the authors. Contemporary authors, subject to their own research and sentiments, gather the timeline of data and draw their own conclusions.
11. Just like you, today's Macedonians feel great respect and have a huge interest in the persona and life of Alexander. Seeing today's Macedonians, their culture and tradition do you recognize in them some fragments of ancient Macedonia that survived from the ancient times till today?
Seeing and befriending today's Macedonians throughout the Diaspora, I completely recognize in them ancient Macedonia that has survived for the past seven millennia.
12. Will your book be published in Macedonian language as well?
It is currently translated into Macedonian by Darko Miovski. I am awaiting responses to my query letters from three publishers in Macedonia.
13. You cooperate with the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), what else connects you with R. Macedonia and the Macedonians?
I am a Hope Builder (a monthly contributor) of Habitat For Humanity - Macedonia (the director and I correspond periodically concerning housing progress in Macedonia). I am also a sponsor for the "5K Ajvar" in Virginia, sponsored by UMD. I also financially supported with a one-time donation the construction of Sveti Arhangel Mihail Macedonian Orthodox Church in Arizona. I have befriended many, many Macedonians. My gratitude to Aleksandar Donski, Liljana Ristova, Meto Koloski, Darko Miovski and many others for their tremendous support and friendship.
14. Are you afraid of a possible reaction from the Greek side regarding your book?
I am not afraid. I am prepared. I do not anticipate reprisal from anybody. I wrote the novel based on 30 years of research, both ancient and contemporary scholarship. I have always pondered Alexander outside scholarship, and immersed myself in his culture, in his mindset. In retrospect, I have always seen and believed him to be global minded, a highlander by birth and heritage, a horseman, a warrior, a human being, bred and fed by the mystical mountains and invigorating waters of Macedonia. Any form of reprisal would be a denial of who Alexander really was: spiritual, fierce, cosmopolitan. As Alexander declared, "I do not distinguish among men as the narrow-minded do. It is virtue that classifies man."
A.S.
I became interested in the life of Alexander III of Macedon and ancient Macedonia after reading a book about him. When I was about 16 years old, my European History class assignment was to research and write a paper about a historical figure, choosing one from an exhaustive list. My father had examined the list, saw Alexander's name, and suggested I research him, having felt a compulsion to recommend the young warrior-king. I agreed since I had always been attracted to the ancient Mediterranean, and thought it would be fun. Once I read the first few pages of the book, however, I was suddenly entranced. It was an immediate, extraordinary bond. Since then, I have researched and loved Alexander and his homeland.
Painting by Nimloth872. Why is your book titled "In the Theater of the World"?
A quote of Alexander inspired the title: "I shall not fail in my duty and wherever I battle I shall believe myself to be playing to the theater of the world". I contemplated that for some time as I organized the manuscript, believing Alexander viewed his ambitions and experiences through the lens of an actor, living his life on a stage. Thus, the novel's style and them is theater.
3. Many books have been written on the life of Alexander the Great. What makes your book different than everything previously written?
The writing style is lyrical, theatrical, and written in the narrative person by Alexander himself. He candidly speaks to the reader, retelling his adolescent years. I felt compelled to give Alexander a voice so as to share with the reader everything about himself, what causes and conditions made him to be Master of the World, his experiences with his family, friends, his cherished steed, his education, his rite of passage episodes, and his early battles. It is an immersion into the adolescence of Alexander.
4. Why did you decide to write about the life of Alexander at the age of 13 to 20?
It illustrates and explains the early evolution of the historical Alexander the Great. What was he like before he became king of Macedonia and spread the Macedonian Empire in the East? My intent was to share with today's adolescent and adult reader a historical individual whose cosmopolitan mind transcended his contemporary setting; a youth who aspired and accomplished his goals amidst hardships, demonstrating perseverance that would inspire today's youth and adult, he having similar circumstances not at all different from a person of the 21st century.
5. In your opinion, was the character of Alexander III of Macedon as a king and military commander built in those adolescent days?
Yes, it was throughout his childhood and adolescence that his character as king and military commander was developed. I believe, too, his fervent spirituality and strong sense of self nurtured and fortified him. The novel fully expresses his spirituality and confidence.
6. To what extent is your book based on historical facts? Or is it more fictional?
Extensive cultural facts interlace with both historical and fictional scenes. There is little historical literatures on Alexander’s adolescence, therefore, some social scenes have been invented; other episodes are historical with some enhancement.
7. What was your inspiration for the book?
The combination of fascination, enthusiasm and passion for Alexander the Great and his homeland of Macedonia, driven by the need to give him a voice amidst other works concerning him, inspired the novel.
8. What is your favorite thought of Alexander and why?
Among many thoughts and events of Alexander, the single event I frequently imagine is the scene of the Multanese Citadel, during the Mallian Campaign in India 325BCE. Alexander was 28 years old, believed himself to be invincible and immortal, and scaled the citadel wall, alone. His impatience drove him to begin the siege himself. He scaled a ladder, reached the wall's crest, and climbed over it, two soldiers following behind him; other soldiers sought to protect him, but the ladder broke, leaving them outside the wall; Alexander and the two accompanying soldiers faced the Indian army. Engagement between the three Macedonians and the Indian army resulted in successfully deflecting the Indian missiles, though with the deaths of the two soldiers, and Alexander wounded in the lung by a long-range, six-foot arrow. Bleeding heavily, Alexander fell to the ground, yet attempted to stand so as to climb the wall and escape. His strength failed him, loosing blood at an accelerated rate, and collapsed on the ground again. One Indian soldier, thinking Alexander was dead, began to strip his body of his armor. Remarkably, Alexander harnessed all the remaining energy he had, and stabbed the Indian soldier. This behavior demonstrates to me the timeless essence of Alexander and the Macedonians - resolute and indomitable.
9. Are Americans, in general, familiar with Alexander and ancient Macedonia?
Americans are familiar with Alexander and ancient Macedonia insofar as the brief information we read in high school textbooks. Only those who are curious about Alexander post high school education pursue more scholarship. Interestingly, for me, it was not what I learned about him in the classroom; it was reading the books and the articles, and seeing the 1982 "Search For Alexander" exhibit that propelled me into my life-long research.
10. What is your response to the allegations that Alexander was an ancient mass murderer, not a historical figure who deserves to be celebrated?
With all of my years of research, and respecting ancient traditions and civilizations, Alexander is not to be classified as a mass murderer, for in my opinion the definition of a 'mass murderer' is dissimilar to the nature and actions of Alexander the Great. He was no different from any other warrior, warrior-king, conqueror, and he had both a dark and light side, as all humans have. He was a builder and a destroyer. No different from any other historical figure in world history. Alexander will always have his detractors and supporters, all contingent on the education they received concerning Alexander. I have known both detractors and supporters, and both will substantiate their claims, referencing sources. Again, the sources influence the judgment of the reader. There are ancient authors who, having accounted Alexander's exploits and actions, embellished the details. A reader discovers this when contrasting authors and scholars, always sensitive to the culture and time period of the authors. Contemporary authors, subject to their own research and sentiments, gather the timeline of data and draw their own conclusions.
11. Just like you, today's Macedonians feel great respect and have a huge interest in the persona and life of Alexander. Seeing today's Macedonians, their culture and tradition do you recognize in them some fragments of ancient Macedonia that survived from the ancient times till today?
Seeing and befriending today's Macedonians throughout the Diaspora, I completely recognize in them ancient Macedonia that has survived for the past seven millennia.
12. Will your book be published in Macedonian language as well?
It is currently translated into Macedonian by Darko Miovski. I am awaiting responses to my query letters from three publishers in Macedonia.
13. You cooperate with the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), what else connects you with R. Macedonia and the Macedonians?
I am a Hope Builder (a monthly contributor) of Habitat For Humanity - Macedonia (the director and I correspond periodically concerning housing progress in Macedonia). I am also a sponsor for the "5K Ajvar" in Virginia, sponsored by UMD. I also financially supported with a one-time donation the construction of Sveti Arhangel Mihail Macedonian Orthodox Church in Arizona. I have befriended many, many Macedonians. My gratitude to Aleksandar Donski, Liljana Ristova, Meto Koloski, Darko Miovski and many others for their tremendous support and friendship.
14. Are you afraid of a possible reaction from the Greek side regarding your book?
I am not afraid. I am prepared. I do not anticipate reprisal from anybody. I wrote the novel based on 30 years of research, both ancient and contemporary scholarship. I have always pondered Alexander outside scholarship, and immersed myself in his culture, in his mindset. In retrospect, I have always seen and believed him to be global minded, a highlander by birth and heritage, a horseman, a warrior, a human being, bred and fed by the mystical mountains and invigorating waters of Macedonia. Any form of reprisal would be a denial of who Alexander really was: spiritual, fierce, cosmopolitan. As Alexander declared, "I do not distinguish among men as the narrow-minded do. It is virtue that classifies man."
A.S.
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