The Formation of Alexander's Image in Iranian Historical Memory (A Review of Tarsusi Darab Nama)

Historical memory or collective memory, in studies on cultural history and history of ideas, is often neglected. It is sufficient, for example, look at the names and titles to learn of the common view of a nation. This is true about Alexander’s image in our culture. In our culture and some others, Alexander is a myth and sometimes a unique hero. Shahnameh can demonstrate this historical memory well and other than this book, Nezami’s Eskandar nameh is another example. The narrative text called Darab Name, written by Abou Taher Tartusi, the story writer of the sixth century is an attempt to Iranianize the image of this Greek conqueror. Accordingly, in historical texts the image of some Iranian kings have been assimilate dot Alexander and this has a particular meaning.