The speaker will address the transformation of Alexander the Great into Iskandar in the Persian epic poems, exploring the degree to which Islamic culture assimilated Alexander’s life and adventures while adapting the character of Iskandar, in a process of “persianization,” to reflect the interests and aspirations of the Persian ruling dynasties. The speaker will touch upon the fundamental and defining role of Medieval Islamic poets in the assimilation and reformulation of Classical culture, showing how Islamic thinkers and artists conveyed, conceived, and reimagined—in words and in pictures—the ancient Greek classical heritage.

This lecture puts into perspective the exhibition, Islam and the Classical Heritage, on view in the Logan Gallery of Illustrated Books, Legion of Honor, from 25 August 2018 to 27 January 2019. The exhibition is free after museum admission.