Olympias

By Elizabeth Carney,

Book cover of Olympias: Mother of Alexander the Great

Book description

The definitive guide to the life of the first woman to play a major role in Greek political history, this is the first modern biography of Olympias.

Presenting a critical assessment of a fascinating and wholly misunderstood figure, Elizabeth Carney penetrates myth, fiction and sexual politics and conducts a close…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep the lights on. Or join the rebellion as a member.

Why read it?

1 author picked Olympias as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Most of us have heard of Alexander the Great, but his mother Olympias (famous for sleeping with snakes) also had a tumultuous and fascinating life.

Undoubtedly, she was a force to be reckoned with and a significant influence on her son, and this comes through in Elizabeth Carney’s book. Carney looks at Olympias from several angles – her origins as a Molossian royal, as the wife of Philip II of Macedon, as mother of Alexander, and in her own right after Alexander’s death.

At that time, her world became even more dangerous as she vied for power and position; she…

Want books like Olympias?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 96 books like Olympias.

Browse books like Olympias

Book cover of Hypatia of Alexandria
Book cover of Invisible Romans: Prostitutes, Outlaws, Slaves, Gladiators, Ordinary Men and Women ... The Romans That History Forgot
Book cover of Women in Antiquity: Real Women across the Ancient World

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,080

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Alexander the Great, the Mediterranean, and Greece?

Greece 181 books