سمانه جعفری

In works revolving around the life of Alexander, the characterization of Alexander is marked by exaggerations and contradictions, as if we are faced with two distinct Alexanders; a wise, just, and prophet-like figure, and a detested, tyrannical oppressor. Conducted by the library method, the present study investigates the description and qualitative content analysis of famous Persian Alexander Epic (Iskandarnāme). While briefly introducing existing Alexander Epics, the study explores the characterization of Alexander besides comparing various texts of the same genre. The analysis reveals that in most of these works, Alexander assumes a mythical, legendary, and sacred persona. In some works, such as Nizami’s Iskandarnāme, Alexander is identified with Dhu al-Qarnayn, while in the mystical works of Jami and Amir Khosrow, he takes on an orphic character. In some works, like Darab Nameh, references to Alexander’s weaknesses are more or less hinted at. Nevertheless, overall, he is depicted as a just and wise monarch, and in some instances, a prophetic figure. Regarding Alexander’s ethnicity, there is no consensus in these works. Among these, two narratives are more noteworthy: some, like Nizami, consider him of Iranian descent, while others view him as from the lineage of the Greek hero Philip.