Alexander III of Macedon (356-323 BC) has for over 2000 years been one of the best recognized names from antiquity. He set about creating his own legend in his lifetime, and subsequent writers and political actors developed it. He acquired the surname 'Great' by the Roman period, and the Alexander Romance transmitted his legendary biography to every language of medieval Europe and the Middle East. As well as an adventurer who sought the secret of immortality and discussed the purpose of life with the naked sages of India, he became a model for military achievement as well as a religious prophet bringing Christianity (in the Crusades) and Islam (in the Qur'an and beyond) to the regions he conquered. This innovative and fascinating volume explores these and many other facets of his reception in various cultures around the world, right up to the present and his role in gay activism.
Alexander the Great has for over 2000 years been one of the best recognized names from antiquity. This innovative volume explores the many facets of his legend and reception in literature, art and culture from antiquity to the present, ranging across numerous cultures of Europe and the Middle East.
Recenzijos
' all students of Alexander will find something of interest in this superb work Highly recommended.' S. M. Burstein, Choice 'The volume is richly illustrated, showing representations of Alexander across all sorts of media, including film, play, and opera. Each chapter introduces its own rich and absorbing world.' Murray Dahm, Ancient History 'A rewarding inspection of a demanding theme written by experts in their field and as such extremely helpful to Alexander specialists and not only.' Elias Koulakiotis, GNOMON
Daugiau informacijos
Explores how Alexander the Great has influenced literature, art and culture in Europe and the Middle East over two millennia.
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| Notes on Contributors |
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| Preface |
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xiii | |
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xv | |
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1 Introduction: Formation and Diffusion of the Alexander Legend |
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1 | (13) |
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2 Alexander and Alexandria in Life and Legend |
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14 | (28) |
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3 The Image of Alexander in Ancient Art |
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42 | (23) |
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4 Alexander, Philosophy and Rome: A Trajanic Moment |
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65 | (21) |
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5 Christianising Alexander Traditions in Late Antiquity |
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86 | (23) |
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6 Alexander in Ancient Jewish Literature |
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109 | (34) |
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7 The Medieval Alexander: Art and Politics |
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143 | (24) |
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8 Alexander the Great and the Crusades |
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167 | (30) |
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197 | (19) |
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10 Alexander the Great in Byzantine Tradition, AD 330--1453 |
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216 | (26) |
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11 The Spanish Alexander: A Figure of Praise and Blame |
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242 | (29) |
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12 The Persian Alexander (1): The Royal Alexander |
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271 | (17) |
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13 The Persian Alexander (2): Amir Khusraw and the Philosophical View of Alexander |
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288 | (20) |
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14 Alexander in Medieval Arab Minds: Archetype of Kings, Magnificent Warrior and Custodian of Philosophy and Divine Principles |
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308 | (26) |
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15 Alexander in the Age of Shakespeare: The Monarchicke Tragedies of Sir William Alexander |
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334 | (16) |
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16 Alexander the Great in Opera |
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350 | (25) |
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17 Alexander in the Long Eighteenth Century (c.1660--1830) |
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375 | (25) |
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18 Images of Alexander in Germany: Hero, Explorer of New Spaces, Cosmopolitanist and Champion of the West |
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400 | (24) |
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19 Alexander the Gay and the Gloryhole That Was Greece |
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424 | (24) |
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| Index |
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448 | |
Richard Stoneman is an Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter. He was President of the Classical Association (UK) in 2010, and is widely known for his work on the Alexander legends, having both organised and participated in various Alexander conferences. His books include Land of Lost Gods: The Search for Classical Greece (1987) and Alexander the Great: A Life in Legend (2008), both of which have been shortlisted for the Runciman Prize. His most recent work, The Greek Experience of India (2019), was described by the TLS as 'the best book ever written on the subject'.
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