Description
Book SynopsisThe Libro de Alexandre is an epic poem about the life of Alexander the Great, written by an anonymous Spanish cleric in the thirteenth century. It is the most substantial poem (and almost certainly the first) composed in the learned cuaderna vía verse form and provides a unique insight into the intellectual world from which it sprang.
Trade ReviewIn short, this is a fine addition to the translated work series. It will not serve the expert, but this is not the aim of the work. It will, however, provide an excellent starting point for the student of medieval Iberian literature and anyone interested in the Alexander story who may have no knowledge of Spanish.'
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Map of Alexander’s campaigns The life of Alexander the Great – a chronology Map of the Iberian Peninsula in the early thirteenth century Events of the early thirteenth century Illustrations Alexander tells his troops the story of the siege of Troy Alexander comes close to death after swimming in the River Cydnus A eleventh-century map of the world The labours of the months Notes on the illustrations Introduction 1. The distinctiveness of the Libro de Alexandre 2. A novel enterprise: the poet’s ‘manifesto’ 3. The manuscripts and the questions of date and authorship 4. Spain in the early thirteenth century: the background to the composition of the Libro de Alexandre 5. Alexander the Great in history and in literary tradition: our poet’s sources 6. Style and structure: the poet finds his voice 7. Warriors, kings and scholars – triumph but humility: the themes of the Libro de Alexandre 8. The Libro de Alexandre: a synopsis 9. The Spanish text 10. The translation Select Bibliography The Libro de Alexandre: text, translation and notes
