Alla scoperta di Alessandro e Aristotele. Un viaggio tra l'Alexandreis e l'Alexanders saga

Abstract

The relationship between Aristotle and Alexander the Great has always been intriguing, considering their historical encounter and the fictionalized versions of the lessons proposed by the scholar to his pupil. A conspicuous number of sources from the classical antiquity consider Aristotle essential for the educational formation of the Macedonian leader; Plutarch and Quintilian defined him as the most illustrious among philosophers, even if he achieved fame with his works only after leaving Macedon. Although there are numerous sources able to confirm the encounter between the two, it is impossible to establish with certainty the quality of Aristotle’s teachings to Alexander, which are revisited in different works with the intention to create a magical and legendary literary circle around the figure of Philip II’s son, greater than the one Alexander the Great actually conquered in battle. In the first chapter, the thesis aims to dig as much information as possible on the actual meeting between Aristotle and Alexander, and on what might have been the subjects of study offered to the Macedonian emperor through sources and quotations from antiquity, observing how these have had a totally fictionalized development during Middle Ages. In the following two chapters, the attention particularly focuses on two medieval works: Alexandreis by Walter of Châtillon - based on the historiographic Latin text Historiae Alexandri Magni Macedonis by Quinto Curzio Rufo - and Alexanders saga, a translated riddarasögur of Walter’s poem, attributed to the bishop Brandr Jónsson. Each advice offered by Aristotle in both works - including juridical, military, moral and behavioral suggestions - will be accurately investigated. Specifically, in the second chapter the analysis examines the use of Alexandreis as indirect source for subsequent works, the models from which Walter of Châtillon took inspiration and the achievement of Alexander’s feats through the wisdom shared by Aristotle’s speech. In the last chapter, the adaptation of Aristotle’s precepts in the different context of Alexanders saga will be the main subject, giving a precise focus on additions, summaries and differences produced by the Icelandic translator from the original source. The historical encounter between the two inspired the creation of narratives regarding their relationship during the Middle Ages. Aristotle gives a sort of speculum principis in both works cited above, in order to form the Macedonian leader as king and as man. Alexander’s regency is based on the respect of suggestions imparted by the philosopher, glorified as magni in Alexandreis and considered a fóstrfaðir in Alexanders saga. The part of Aristotle’s advice to Alexander is a rather large portion which plays a fundamental role in both texts, since most of Alessandro’s successes and victories depends on how much he would be capable of putting these advices into practice.