This Palgrave Pivot provides a detailed examination of one of history's most iconic human-equine partnerships: Alexander the Great and his horse, Bucephalus. The influence of the Macedonian king and conqueror and his mount is far-reaching. This relationship changed the way humans thought about the warhorse, introducing a named, individualistic equine with his own personality, quirks, and foibles; it took a concept from fiction and mythology and placed it in historical reality. Representations of Bucephalus mark a shift whereby a living horse attains a degree of personhood and notable significance, and in doing so, Bucephalus added additional layers of complexity to the life and history of Alexander, as exhibited in varied historical source traditions.

Examines the life and legacy of Alexander the Great through the lens of Animal History Reconsiders Bucephalus as a major figure in classical reception to the modern day Provides a detailed study of the horse-human bond through a foundational equestrian partnership

Autorentext

Carolyn Willekes is an Associate Professor in the Department of General Education at Mount Royal University, Canada. Her research examines human-equine interactions in the ancient Mediterranean world, exploring the social, cultural, and economic role of equids as a marker of identity and cross-cultural interaction. She has published extensively on topics pertaining to the horse in ancient war, sport, and visual culture. She is also an enthusiastic contributor to numerous public education programs on the history of the horse.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Horses and Heroes: Named Equines in Greek Mythology.- Chapter 3. Equestrian Culture in Macedonia.- Chapter 4. Alexander the Great and Bucephalus in the Classical Tradition.- Chapter 5. The Legendary Bucephalus: Medieval European Interpretations.- Chapter 6. Conclusion.