Alexander Fights Habash Monster

Alexander fights the monster of habash, taken from the Demotte Shahnama believed to have been created sometime before 1335. The Shahnama is an epic... more

by Photo Researchers

Title

Alexander Fights Habash Monster

Artist

Photo Researchers

Medium

Photograph

Description

Alexander fights the monster of habash, taken from the Demotte Shahnama believed to have been created sometime before 1335. The Shahnama is an epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi and is the national epic of Iran and the Persian speaking world. The poem tells the mythical and to some extent the historical past of the Persian empire from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Almost two-thirds of the Shahnameh is devoted to the age of heroes. This illustration shows Alexander the Great, who conquered Persia in 332 BC, fighting the monster of Habash, or Ethiopia. The monster is a dragon, a composite of rhinoceros, wolf, lion and eagle and a fire-breathing creature. It is a good example of the Shahnama's blurring of the line between fact and legend. Alexander had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from the Ionian Sea to the Himalayas. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of history's most successful commanders. Alexander's legacy extended beyond his military conquests. His campaigns greatly increased contacts and trade between East and West, and vast areas to the east were significantly exposed to Greek civilization and influence. Some of the cities he founded became major cultural centers, many surviving into the twenty-first century. In June 323 BC, Alexander died a painful death in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon, at age 33. General consensus is he died of poisoning, but natural causes have been suggested malaria, typhoid fever, acute pancreatitis, West Nile virus and possibly an overdose of medication containing hellebore, which is deadly in large doses.

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July 7th, 2014