Shanameh by Abolqasem Ferdowsi

[jan]

Shanameh by Acolqasem Ferdowsi is a fiction book on Persian Kings. There are two chapters devoted to Alexander, called Sekander, which are just delightful and entertaining to read.

This story of the exploits of Alexander really awakened my realization that most of the written records of Alexander are simply stories that are probably more fantasy and fiction than historical truth, but nonetheless, do help to give us some idea of how people feel about Alexander.

This story told from the standpoint of the Persians makes us realize that Alexander in fact does become Darius when he assumes his role as Lord of Asia. So when one understands that about his adapting to Persian life, it does not seem preposterous to any but the few Greeks and Macedonians who became a bit jealous of his attentions.

This book is well worth reading just to glean the manner in which the Persians tell stories about him. The story that his body was showing evidence of illness because he was bedding each one of the women of his harem amused me. But the cure that made him well was touching to read!

So after I finally read these stories of Alexander's exploits, which actually take him to China and to Mecca, and continue to praise him for his Christian ways, I was rather taken with the fact that nobody should really care about historical accuracy so much as the fact that people do just simply love to tell stories, especially morality storis. This story reminded me a bit of Christian in Paradise Lost.

[marcus]

This story of the exploits of Alexander really awakened my realization that most of the written records of Alexander are simply stories that are probably more fantasy and fiction than historical truth ...

Not sure that would stand up in a court of law, Jan.

ATB

[jan]

Hi Marcus, That is exactly the point. In a court of law, all this is never first person evidence. All of it is hearsay. The main problem with solving the dilemma of past history is the written records, and since so many are considered dubious, one can only surmise what really happened. Such as the vast numbers of the foe being destroyed but only a few of the Macedonians being killed which has always made me wonder at how much is really propaganda and how much is really truth.

And none of the administrative side of Alexander is ever recorded, only the journeys and the battles. Again, it would be best to have as much evidence from other points of view than just the Romans copying select Greek or Macedonian records.

Fortunately, most of the recent books written by college professors always include now the sources from which we get our material. I like those professors most of all as they make their students think. There is a reason to study Alexander as Guy MaClean Rogers suggested in the preface of his book, but at least he made clear the difficulty with which it is to accept all the variety of stories told.

I liked the Persian stories as I just watched Michael Wood's In the Footsteps DVD again, and in listening to the Iranians tell and retell their stories, I realize how distorted this picture really is. Imagine! One threated to tear Alexander into pieces if he were here now because of what he did to Iran. What kind of stories are they keeping alive anyway?

[rjones2818]

The most current english editions cost about $120 each - 3 vols. - and may be the most beautiful books I've seen recently (well, at least the Alexander volume - here's the isbn: 093421168X ).

The Shanameh sections on our hero are similar to the Persian Alexander Romance Sikandernameh e bara by Nazimi and may have been a basis for that text or vice versa.

The Iskandarnamah has an English version of its first volume that you can occasionally find for purchase. I got my copy searching through the web and I think I ended up getting it through a reseller on amazon.com.

Both are good reading if you're feeling like romances from a Persian perspective. And yes, our hero is presented as a hero.

[rjones2818]

The Shahnameh appears to be one of the foundations for Nizami's Sikander Nama E. Bara, which has the isbn 8186142851. The most current volumes in English are beautiful, at least the volume with Alexander in it, and are available at amazon.com. The volume with Alexander in it has the isbn of 093421168X.

Both are quite fun to read, if you like the romances. Both present Alexander as a hero.[/i]

[jan]

Well, that is very interesting to learn about the cost of the books on Amazon. The single book at Barnes and Noble is very reasonable in comparison and is a beautiful book also. It is only $45.00. I just bought a book about Charles LeBrun at Border's so I will have to wait to buy the Persian Kings book and will hope that it will be on the shelf for awhile. It is a great buy then. The LeBrun book has great portraits of Alexander and very interesting copy to explain each portrait. I learned a lot about how Alexander had been discussed in that century as well, so it is well worth the price for the book. Only $36.45! An older copy I believe as that is all that can be found now.