"A Summer's Cloud": The Life of Alexander the Great (Online)

C665bf45 seeable

Taught by Andrew Coletti

ndrew Coletti is a staff writer for Atlas Obscura whose work has also appeared on Tasting Table and in Eaten magazine. He holds degrees in Classics and Museum Education, and has cooked recipes from around the world and throughout time for TikTok and Instagram at @PassTheFlamingo (because the Romans ate flamingos). His favorite Roman author is the poet Martial.

This is an old class! Check out the current classes, or sign up for our mailing list to see if we'll offer this one again.

This class might be over, but get first dibs on new sessions and brand-new classes by signing up on our ultra-rad mailing list.

*This is a live, online class via Zoom.*

"What is the purpose of adventuring around the world? A king must be an administrator. ... Alexander was a man full of great sound, lighting, and thunderbolt; [he was] like a cloud in spring or summer, which passed over the kings of the earth, rained upon them, and disappeared—indeed a summer's cloud disappears very soon."

---Abu'l-Fazl Bayhaqi, 11th-century Persian historian
 
Alexander is one of those historical figures who exemplifies the motto of "live fast, die young." After conquering the entire known world without ever losing a battle, he died at the age of 32, leaving behind one son, many wives, and a great empire studded with cities named "Alexandria." Though his empire is no more, Alexander's legacy remains with us to this day: a groundwork for the future laid by the ideas he spread across the world. 
 
This class is an overview of the short, brilliant life of Alexander the Great and how he continues to influence us today. No prior knowledge required!

Cancellation policy