Astral Codex Ten Podcast Book Review: The Alexander Romance
Sep 28, 2023
Scholars search for the historical Jesus, but the Alexander Romance goes in reverse, making the story of Alexander the Great wackier. It was a best-seller for over a thousand years, endorsed by the Koran, embellished by the Talmud, and praised by a Mongol Khan. The podcast reviews the embellishments of the Alexander myth, from Alexander's mythical birth to his encounters with unusual creatures and philosophers. It also explores the divide between high culture and mass culture through the lens of literature, comparing Batman and Alexander the Great. Lastly, it examines the flaws and characteristics of the Alexander Romance, likening it to comic books and considering Alexander as the first superhero.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Magical Origin Story
- The Romance recounts an invented birth: a wizard-pharaoh Nectinibo impersonates a ram-headed god to father Alexander.
- The tale includes astrology, dreams, and magical transformations to justify Alexander's destiny.
Insult Letters Before Battle
- Darius and Alexander exchange mocking letters full of boasts and insults before battle.
- Alexander's witty replies reinterpret Darius's gifts as omens of his own victory.
Dinosaurs And Giant Monsters
- East of India, Alexander fights dinosaur-like monsters like the 'odontotyrannus' that kill dozens of men.
- Versions vary wildly: Syrians say 300 dragged it, Armenians 1,300, showing tall-tale inflation.