Alexander the Great in fiction Quiz

Answer: A slave girl

Leptine is Manfredi's creation, a young and beautiful slave girl saved by Alexander; she stays with him for all his life. This character does not seem to be based on any historical person: according to the sources, Alexander apparently was not too much interested in girls, while in his teens.

Answer: Cruel and vengeful Mummy's boy

Bova has certainly much kinder feelings for Philip than for Alexander; it is Alexander's father who is presented as a brilliant strategist and cunning, successful politician. In his characterization of Alexander Bova repeats numerous commonplaces, well known from both sources and historical works not favorable to the king (e. g. his dependence on Olympias, hatred for his father or his alleged savage cruelty).

Answer: Alexander himself

Stephen Pressfield decided to make Alexander the speaking person: the novel is composed in the form of the diary that Alexander dictates to Itanes, his secretary and the brother of his beloved wife Roxana. Although Itanes does have a few words to say at the end of the novel, it is Alexander's voice that we hear most of the time.

Answer: It symbolizes the British rule over India

Menem used the episodes from Alexander's conquest of Persia to create a brilliant metaphor of the colonial times and the British rule over India. The novel is witty, intelligent and well worth reading!

Answer: The conquest of Italy and political union with Rome

Scott's Alexander decides at some point of his career that consolidating his freshly created empire is more important than any new conquests. As a result of his union with Rome a world empire is created, one that will last for centuries and finally, in the last chapter of the novel, reach for the stars. A very readable, highly enjoyable and interesting novel.

Answer: All the answers are correct

Tarr's novel is based not only on Alexander's ancient histories or biographies, but also on the legendary material, known from the "Romance of Alexander", a third century CE fantastic narrative of the king's exploits. The novel focuses more on two fictional characters, Meriamnon and Nicolaos, than on Alexander himself, but Tarr, a historian herself, throws in a lot of details taken from historical works.

A novel worth reading: a bit too predictable in its romantic motifs, but nonetheless highly enjoyable.

Answer: He is resurrected alongside with Caesar to help defend Rome against Persia's evil magic

Thomas Harlan's cycle of alternative histories is set in the eighth century CE, when the Roman empire still exists undivided, even though it is threatened by the evil magic of Persia and by a curse involuntarily set by one of its founders. To make his plans of Rome's defence come true, the emperor's sorcerer-brother, prince Maxian, resurrects the two strongest characters he knows, Caesar and Alexander.

A very good, imaginative and original novel!

Answer: Parmenion

Gemmell decided to make his fictionalized Parmenion a Spartan and a sorcerer as well as the main representative of the forces of Light, waging a constant war against the forces of Darkness; the demon is about to be embodied in Philip's future son. Quite far away from the historical Parmenion, I dare say.

Answer: A snake

The snake that comes to Alexander's bedroom is probably one of his mother's pets, but at the same time, it is highly symbolic. The animal's name, Tyche (Fate), is an indication of Alexander's future glory and importance, stressed by Renault in her idealized portrayal of the Macedonian king.

Answer: Nikos Kazantzakis

"Alexander the Great" by Nikos Kazantzakis is a novel for young adults by the celebrated author of "Zorba the Greek". Thomas Mann never wrote a novel on Alexander; his son Klaus did.