Iskandernāme
Iskandernāme (also Eskandar-Nāme or Eskander-Nāma ; Persian اسکندرنامه) is a medieval Persian Alexander novel by the Persian author Nezāmi (d. 1209). It is a Persian-Muslim interpretation of the well-known Alexander legend with further legendary embellishments, but also with formal innovations by the author. The work is divided into two parts: Sharaf-nāma and Eqbāl-nāma .
In the first part, Alexander the Great appears as the well-known conqueror of the world who becomes king of Iran and subjugates Arabia. Alexander conquers India and even the Chinese ruler submits to him. The return journey takes him through the country of the Rus , which he defeats militarily. Alexander finally reaches Rūm ( Roman Empire ), which ends the first part.
In the second part, Alexander appears as a prophet, with folkloric and other popular oral narratives flowing into the material of Nezamis. Alexander holds conversations with philosophers (including Socrates , Plato , Aristotle , Apollonios von Tyana ), is a promoter of culture and is ultimately called by God to be a prophet. He travels the world, looking for the water of life at the North Pole , flew to the moon and converted numerous “unbelievers” to monotheism ( he fought against Zoroastrianism , however) before returning to Rūm.
The relevant edition was published by Iradsch Afshār in 1964 .
Translations
- Johann Christoph Bürgel (translator): The book of Alexander. Iskandarname. Zurich 1991.
- Minoo S. Southgate (transl.): Iskandarnamah. A Persian Medieval Alexander Romance. Columbia University Press, New York 1978, ISBN 0-231-04416-X .
literature
- Peter Lamborn Wilson , Karl Schlamminger: Weaver of Tales. Persian Picture Rugs / Persian tapestries. Linked myths. Callwey, Munich 1980, ISBN 3-7667-0532-6 , pp. 79-139 ( The Kings ), here: pp. 84-86 ( Alexander ).