Retexte en Page: the Latin Alexander Romance, 12th/13th c.

The stories of Alexander the Great can be found in many cultures and languages, from antiquity to the present day. Beyond his historical life, we can find him as the protagonist in a multifaceted romance tradition, where he is depicted with a sorcerer as a father, taking to the skies with the help of griffins, exploring the depths of the sea, and reaching the gates of paradise. In the Middle Ages, this complex narrative history is reflected not only in different stories but also in the storytelling practice of hundreds of unique manuscripts. Retexte en Page will investigate the accounts of Alexander the Great in these medieval codices: how are the stories retold on the page? The goal is to combine methods of Material Philology and Historical Narratology and apply them to the complex field of medieval Latin Alexander texts. This includes examining the compilation and arrangement of Alexander and non-Alexander texts in multiple-text manuscripts, and the ways in which the texts are presented, adapted, furnished with paratexts, or altogether rewritten. Detailed case studies will examine specific manuscripts to reveal patterns and correlations among the Alexander tradition and beyond. Moreover, we will collect data on the co-transmission and use network analysis to identify recurring patterns, diachronic changes, and historical genre concepts. This will contribute to a deeper understanding of Alexander in the High Middle Ages. It will allow for a new perspective outside of traditional boxes like text, authorship, and genre, and will therefore be a significant step towards a Material Narratology. This research is led by PI Katja Weidner at the University of Vienna, supported by a postdoctoral researcher and a team of PhD and MA students, alongside international and interdisciplinary partners.