He was inviting me – almost appearing everywhere. I never took him seriously, although he stood out in historical stories. Or did he? I don’t know. But I decided to go on a date, not knowing what to expect. I saw the poster in November 2022 as I walked down into the London underground or travelled to reach on time for mass in West London.
It was an exhibition! Alexander the Great: The Making of the Myth. It fascinated me. I decided to book it but forgot about it. December was hectic. The exhibition started in October 2022 and will end on February 19, 2023. Coincidently, it was in the British Library.
Why Alexander captures the imagination?
I don’t know. Maybe, it’s the stories. It’s the conquests and the adventure. It’s more than the title “Great” added after his name. He is more like a winner, a successful leader. Is it that he faced the odds and mysteriously transformed adversity into a privilege? It may be the innate desire to be unrestrained in one’s pursuit. Alexander is a motif, metaphor and method to move beyond the comfort zones.
Is Alexander a Myth? Legend? or Pure Fantasy?
Alexander the Great, as we know, was born in Macedonia in 356 BC. He built a vast empire before dying at the age of 32. He was everywhere – Greece, Egypt, Persia, and India. Did he visit my native place Goa, on the western coast of India? His story captures the imagination of cultures of Europe, Asia, and beyond, even centuries after his death. The reports from Alexander Romance are drawn into art, novels, comics, films, and video games.
One man serves many purposes, creating shared narratives with a universal appeal. The exhibition objects span from 25 countries in 21 languages. The historical legacy turned into a legend after Alexander’s death. Cultures and faith re-interpreted Alexander to suit their message. If some called Alexander a prophet, others vowed he was a devil. Alexander was not just a conqueror but also a philosopher-king seeking knowledge and immortality. Who was he?
At the tree of the Sun and the Moon
It was a modern fortune cookie animation. It brought alive Alexander’s visit to the trees of the Sun and the Moon on his journey. As you stand on the specified spot, the animation kicks in, offering one the message. The trees of the Sun and the Moon were offering nudges to participants. They were things like the tree of the Moon says: Take care not to begin anything that you may regret. The tree of the Sun says: Change is happening in your life; make the most of it. I wanted to test it repeatedly, but it offered a different message each time. The tree of the Sun says: You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.
What else did I see at the British Library?
I expected to spend an hour viewing the exhibits. The receptionist said to take appropriate time, almost hinting that 40 minutes were more than enough. I took over two hours inside the exhibition room.
Alexander brought me to the British Library. I signed up for a Reader Pass and ended up becoming a member. There was a promo; they would return my ticket money if I became a member. So, I did. That was like gaining almost a 50 per cent discount on my annual membership fee. A Reader Pass allows one to view some original documents. What is the first thing I will order at the British Library?
I did see the Magna Carta. It was the royal charter of rights agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, on June 15, 1215. You begin to wonder why a king would sign off his life to be under a law. Was it contextual chaos? A shred negotiation? Or altruism? It’s one of the beginnings of modern rights, justice and law. But we still see justice delayed and denied.
How did someone start to call me Alexander?
I was texting a friend. She typed: how are you? I replied: great! I answered great most often, as I wouldn’t say I like using stereotypical words like good, fine, and ok. She was taken up, as I typed great as a response. “Are you Alexander?” she asked, as I often replied, “great.” And so it happened; each time she does text me, there is a “Hello Alexander.” She reminds me if I use any other word, why not great? Yes, I started to call her: Wonderland.
Last words on myth-making
Myths continue to be created as people fall for a story of their imagination. You can deny or affirm it – you are a product of myths. Some myths propel us in positive ways, while others keep us away from pursuing dreams and goals. You can also demystify yourself. Myths have a charm; they cast a spell on your motivation. The facts are overrated while myths win hands down.
What is a myth that you want to create or get rid of?
About the Author
Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read on amazon. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.
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