Ulrich von Etzenbach, Alexander Anhang (1278/83)
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Romances of Antiquity
Ulrich von Etzenbach, Alexander Anhang (1278/83)
Toischer, W. (ed.): Ulrich von Eschenbach, Alexander. (=StLV 183) Stuttgart 1888, Reprint Hildesheim 1974.
UvEAA-1:
The author invokes God and the Holy Trinity to help him in his work. His book about Alexander shall be useful and instructive to all believers, but especially to Borse of Risenburg.
Motif References:
UvEAA-126:
In pursuit of the defeated Darius to Bractanâ, Alexander reaches the mighty city of Trîtôniâ by the sea. Making camp on the plain before the city, Alexander sends a messenger with an offer of peace to the citizens. When he returns without an answer, Alexander sends another, well-spoken and handsome negotiator the next morning. Four white-bearded councilmen meet the messenger, who assures them of Alexander’s peaceful intentions. Nevertheless, they beg to be granted two days to debate with the city’s lord and the council.
Motif References:
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
UvEAA-290:
At the appointed time, the councilmen meet Alexander’s negotiator. They are willing to welcome Alexander as a guest, but refuse to pay tribute or accept them as their ruler. One argues that freedom was given to all of mankind by God himself; they will only serve the creator himself, not another mortal man.
Motif References:
P 531 Taxation and payment of fines and tribute
UvEAA-385:
At the city’s refusal to surrender, Alexander’s nobles advise him to assail the city; a siege is prepared. Alexander has a mighty horn, the sound of which can be heard at a distance of five miles, to call his troops to arms. The next morning, Alexander sounds his horn; the assault begins. The well-defended city’s 16 gates are left open, but 2000 warriors defend each of them. Alexander’s warriors charge the defenders, but a short distance before the enemy all horses shy and refuse to advance any further, carrying the warriors back to their camp.
Motif References:
R 187 Horn of Roncevalles. Hero calls aid of waiting soldiers on horn
P 550.1.1 (Li) Aggression: rebellion; usurpation; invasion; assault
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
D 2156 Magic control over animals
D 2163 Magic defense in battle
UvEAA-491:
Alexander is angered and confused by this turn of events; he decides to attack the city on foot the next day. Alexander spends the night sleepless. At dawn, Alexander walks towards the city with his nobles; it is his custom to take a healthy walk in the morning, like he was taught by Aristotiles. The plain is lovely to behold, uncountable flowers bloom and the birds sing. When they approach the city, they suddenly find it surrounded by a mighty river with countless boats on it: the citizens have directed the sea around their city to protect it.
Motif References:
F 931 Extraordinary occurrence connected with sea
D 2091.7 Magic lake (river) sent against enemy
D 2151.1 Magic control of seas
D 2151 Magic control of waters
D 2163.6 Obstructions magically produced before enemy
K 2369 Military strategy – miscellaneous
UvEAA-630:
Alexander orders craftsmen to build a fleet of ships to cross the newly discovered river. War machines are built and loaded on the ships. When all is ready, Alexander sounds his battle horn; the troops embark on the ships and approach the city. Suddenly, the water vanishes and the ships are grounded on dry land; a foul-smelling thick fog surrounds the army and causes Alexander to retreat, leaving the ships and supplies to be destroyed by the besieged citizens. In addition, many warriors get sick and die of breathing the foul-smelling vapors. Nevertheless Alexander is determined to defeat and destroy the city.
Motif References:
S 111 Murder by poisoning
P 552.4 War-machines
F 931 Extraordinary occurrence connected with sea
D 2061.1.3 Poisoning by magic
D 2143.3 Fog produced by magic
D 2151.1 Magic control of seas
D 2163.4 Magic mist as defense in battle
UvEAA-760:
The Greek knight Zênôs rides out with his varlet and captures two of the city’s messengers after a short fight. Brought before Alexander, he at first orders them bound to horses and dragged to death in front of the city, but when his nobles urge him to spare and interrogate them, he changes his mind.
Motif References:
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
S 117 Death by dragging behind horse
Q 416.2 Punishment: dragging to death by a horse [by horses]
P 557.2 Pledge with enemy to be kept
UvEAA-822:
The captured messengers tell Alexander that their orders are to ask Darius for help against the attackers, and also explain the city’s miraculous defenses. The city’s inhabitants are above all masters of the three magic arts alchimîâ, astronomîâ and nigromancîe (alchemy, astronomy and black magic). These arts, beside others practiced in the city of Trîtôniâ, are the source of its wealth and military safety. The city’s masters possess the ability to cast magical statues, which cause joy or fear when regarded. Other statues, buried on the plain in front of the city, cause horses to shy and flee. With their magic, they are also able to create the evil fog they had sent against Alexander. The city is impregnably defended by magic.
Motif References:
D 475.1 Transformation: objects to gold
D 1359.3 Magic object causes joy
D 1359 Magic object changes person’s disposition – miscellaneous
D 1380.0.1 Magic object protects a city [land]
D 1380.0.1.1 Palladium- city impregnable while statue remains
D 1381 Magic object protects from attack.
D 1440 Magic object gives power over animals
UvEAA-958:
The captured messengers tell Alexander about Trîtôniâ’s government: each year, the city’s senate elects a potestât, the city’s highest official. If the senate finds him suitable, he is made ruler for life, but the office cannot be inherited. His deputy is the chief judge, assisted by 24 officials. As the magicians of the city could surely free the prisoners, Alexander binds them with their word of honor. One of them is allowed to leave to tell the citizens of their fate.
Motif References:
UvEAA-1021:
Alexander is determined to conquer the city. He sends letters to all wise men in his empire, telling them of the city defended by magic. The inhabitants, so he writes, can also turn lead to gold and are mighty magicians. He asks all wise men for counsel and advice.
Motif References:
P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
J 191 Wise men
UvEAA-1093:
Aristotiles replies to this letter, reminding Alexander of the two kinds of freedom. Like authority and lordship freedom can be inherited or gained (the former are called liberi and the latter liberti). He tells Alexander to be modest: the city he seeks to destroy seems to be governed by wise and just men; their mastery of the magic arts makes them rightfully free of reign. He snidely remarks on alchemy; this art is like all arts, as Seneca says, the ape of nature. One element can not be changed into another by it. Patience and clemency are the principal virtues of a king; only if Alexander can command the air, redirect the sea’s course, or govern a city better than the citizens, he shall subject them to his rule. If he can not, then he should treat the city with clemency and refrain from attempting to conquer it.
Motif References:
J 152 Wisdom (knowledge) from sage (teacher)
J 1262 Repartee based on doctrinal discussions
UvEAA-1383:
Alexander, having read Aristotiles’ letter, changes his mind. He releases all captives on their word of honor and sends a letter of peace with a messenger to the city. In this letter, Alexander praises the Almighty’s power and wisdom, and all the virtues and their benefits for man. He compares a man’s heart to a city, filled with personifications of virtues and governed by an empress, wisdom. Like this city, Alexander’s empire exists on the Almighty’s explicit wish; opposing the empire means opposition to God himself. Reading his letter, an old astronomer of the city council verifies Alexander’s words with an ancient prophecy of the coming of a mighty emperor; it is decided to accept Alexander as new sovereign.
Motif References:
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
M 302.4.2 (Bm) Future read in stars
M 369.5 Prophecies concerning invasion and conquest
M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
UvEAA-1689:
The citizens assign the wise messenger Corodas to deliver their message of surrender to Alexander. Together with the city’s highest officials, he approaches Alexander in his magnificent tent, a present from Candacis. When they kneel before Alexander, he quickly asks them to stand up and accepts their subjection. He is given many presents and the city’s scepter as sign of his rule. He presents the city with treasures but demands that they help him in his war against Darius. He sends 16 knights to man the city’s towers.
Motif References:
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 531 Taxation and payment of fines and tribute
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
F 775 Extraordinary tent
UvEAA-1815:
After three days, Alexander rides into Trîtôniâ, where he is welcomed in a triumphant parade. The author describes the city’s splendor, the countless joyful musicians and the beauty of the ladies. Alexander honors the city’s senate and officials by riding side by side with them. After a prayer and sacrifice in the city’s magnificent temple, which is abundantly decorated with gold and jewels, he is crowned with laurel by two beautiful maidens, the daughters of the senate and the potestate. Alexander and his retinue are accommodated in the city’s magnificent town-hall. At night, a great feast is held to celebrate Alexander’s reign of the city.
Motif References:
P 13 Customs connected with kings
V 112 Temples
P 634 Feasts
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