Alexandreis

12th-century epic

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June 18, 2026

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The Alexandreis, written around 1180 by Walter of Châtillon, is a significant 12th-century Latin epic poem. It is part of the broader tradition of the Alexander romance, which comprises legends about Alexander the Great. The Alexandreis was influential in shaping subsequent vernacular literature, drawing from the medieval fascination with Alexander's life and legends. The Alexander romance itself originated from a Greek epic written in the 2nd century AD, portraying Alexander as a heroic figure with elements of magic and marvels.12

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Latin literature
The 12th to the 14th century
…Châtillon’s foray into epic, the Alexandreis (written c. 1180), is one of the most distinguished products of the medieval fascination with the legends of Alexander the Great, and it exercised an immense influence on subsequent vernacular literature.
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…Châtillon’s foray into epic, the Alexandreis (written c. 1180), is one of the most distinguished products of the medieval fascination with the legends of Alexander the Great, and it exercised an immense influence on subsequent vernacular literature.
Read More