Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions
(To all those who witnessed his extraordinary conquests, f...)
To all those who witnessed his extraordinary conquests, from Albania to India, Alexander the Great appeared invincible. How Alexander himself promoted this appearance―how he abetted the belief that he enjoyed divine favor and commanded even the forces of nature against his enemies―is the subject of Frank L. Holt's absorbing book. Solid evidence for the "supernaturalized" Alexander lies in a rare series of medallions that depict the triumphant young king at war against the elephants, archers, and chariots of Rajah Porus of India at the Battle of the Hydaspes River.
Into the Land of Bones: Alexander the Great in Afghanistan
(The so-called first war of the twenty-first century actua...)
The so-called first war of the twenty-first century actually began more than 2,300 years ago when Alexander the Great led his army into what is now a sprawling ruin in northern Afghanistan. Frank L. Holt vividly recounts Alexander's invasion of ancient Bactria, situating in a broader historical perspective America's war in Afghanistan.
Lost World of the Golden King: In Search of Ancient Afghanistan
(Drawing on ancient historical writings, the vast array of...)
Drawing on ancient historical writings, the vast array of information gleaned in recent years from the study of Hellenistic coins, and startling archaeological evidence newly unearthed in Afghanistan, Frank L. Holt sets out to rediscover the ancient civilization of Bactria. In a gripping narrative informed by the author’s deep knowledge of his subject, this book covers two centuries of Bactria’s history, from its colonization by remnants of Alexander the Great’s army to the kingdom’s collapse at the time of a devastating series of nomadic invasions.
Frank Lee Holt is one of the world’s leading authorities on Alexander the Great, Hellenistic Asia, and new research methodologies such as Cognitive Numismatics. He has published seven books and over sixty articles.
Background
Frank L. Holt was born on April 6, 1954, in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States to the family of Elwood and Jane Anderson Holt. As a child, the boy was fascinated with airplanes and dreamed of being a pilot. That dream was shattered when he suffered a serious eye injury at age 12, and, as a result, lost vision in one eye. After that, he began to think of other things, such as being a writer or teaching English.
Education
Frank L. Holt attended Lynchburg College. In 1976 he graduated with a bachelor's degree and enrolled in the University of Virginia. In two years he earned a master's degree, and, later, in 1984, became Doctor of Philosophy.
While receiving a doctorate degree, Holt went to work for the University of Houston. Starting from the position of assistant professor, he later became professor of history.
Dr. Holt has devoted much of his career to two great frontiers, one of subject matter and the other of methodology. In subject matter, his work pushes far beyond the familiar centers of classical culture such as Athens and Rome to explore the vigorous multi-cultural edges of ancient civilizations in places such as Afghanistan. He has achieved this by developing innovative numismatic methodologies, now called the new frontier of Ancient Studies, to write histories where traditional literary sources do not survive. This research has earned several awards, including the Aristotle Prize and the Craddock prize. His eighth book, under contract with Oxford University Press, is being researched and written as an Onassis Senior Visiting Scholar.
In addition to his large body of academic work, Holt is also a prolific writer for the public, with essays appearing in Newsweek, American Scientist, Archaeology, History Today, Archaeology Odyssey, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Saudi Aramco World, and other widely read publications.
From 1987 to 1990, Dr. Holt was also director of the Houston Mummy Research Program. Besides, he has lectured worldwide for academic and general audiences.
(To all those who witnessed his extraordinary conquests, f...)
2003
Views
Dr. Holt pays attention to the significant role of numismatics and how it shapes society as we know it. He says that cryptocurrency is posing today a huge challenge on how we think about wealth and money and changing the way business is done. Holt reminds us that it's exactly what happened in 620 B.C.: "We are going through another revolution like that. It pays to understand what happened the first time so you can understand what’s happening now."
Quotations:
"The more we find, the more we study. We are able to recreate the entire civilization of the Greeks in Afghanistan based almost entirely on coins: their relationships, political events, wars, things of that type. We can work it all out as long as we have enough numismatic evidence to piece it together. Coins literally are like ransoms bringing these lost kings and queens to life."
"I write so that readers will be astonished to discover that something as old and ‘irrelevant’ as ancient history can be thoroughly engaging and useful. I like to catch the eye of a busy commuter with such titles as ‘French Fries and the Fall of Rome' and compel him/her to spend some time with a subject completely outside the scope of the day’s business."
"I think the challenges I faced during my younger years have made me a better teacher. I understand what our students — many who work — what they go through."
Membership
American Numismatic Society
Association of Ancient Historians
Institute for Balkan Studies
Interests
Numismatics
Connections
On May 17, 1975 Frank married Linda Drinkard, a homemaker. They have a daughter.