Alexander the Great: The making of a Myth

For those living in the U.K. or transiting through London this winter, it may be an excellent opportunity to stop at this exhibition about Alexander the Great organized by The British Library. 

[Picture: © Museum of Classical Archaeology, Cambridge © Hamish Steele, © Richard Stoneman]

The British Library was once part of the British Museum but moved in 1973 to a separate building situated between the railway stations of St. Pancras and Euston in London. 

It is one of the largest libraries in the world and contains 14 million books among between 170 and 200 million other items. The Library also organizes exhibitions. This time, Alexander the Great is put in the limelight as it centers on the myths that surround him since before his death and are still very much alive after more than 2000 years. 

This unique event displays old astrological clay tablets, ancient papyri, medieval manuscripts, movies, and video games. European, Middle Eastern and Asian cultures competed to make him the kind of hero they wanted him to be. This is true for the past but also in today’s world. 

Trying to separate myth from reality is a near-impossible task. As I so often stated, there is not one truth or one Alexander as we all create our own vision of this great man, who was king, emperor, and Pharaoh, but also a general, philosopher, and visionary. 

Who Alexander was as a man is something each of us has to define for ourselves. 

This unique exhibition will run from 21 October 2022 to 19 February 2023.

For the occasion, a special catalog will be released on 21 October 2022 by the British Library Publishing. The work is written by Richard Stoneman and will be published under the same title as the exhibition, Alexander the Great: the making of a myth (ISBN: 978-0712354769).