Alexander the great: The Ethiopian Myth The Ethiopian tradition produced an original legend, which can be regarded as an emblematic example of the Ethiopian creativity. The romance of Alexander , (a renowned Greek text with unknown writer) created a long cultural wave, spread over countries and cultures from the fifth century Byzantine to medieval Persia and beyond including Ethiopia . Hence, an Ethiopian legend, known under the title of Zena Eskinder (History of Alexander) or Christian romance, that presented Alexander the great a sort of a monk leading an ascetic life, an enlightened man with spiritual mysteries, a warrior promoting crusades against pagan peoples was written. The most ancient codex we know was written in the 15 th century during the reign of King Zar'a Yaq'ob (1434-68) and now is kept in the Fonde Conti Rossini of the Academia dei Lincei in Rome . This episode which depicts the influence of unjustified legends and how easily they turn into full-fledged history was part of the Speech made by Mr. Gianfransesco Lusini, Associate professor of language and literature at Universitá di Napoli L'Orientale, at the Italian cultural Institute entitled, “Alexander the great: the Ethiopian myth”. The Italian Cultural Institute organized an exhibition starting from December 5 to assess ‘Image of the Myth; Iconography of Alexander the great in Italy .' The exhibition was planned and organized by the Directorate General for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Rome. The inspiration behind the exhibition Images of a Legend/ Iconography of Alexander the great in Italy is based on the extent to which the figure of Alexander acted as a model for so many artistic and cultural works, it was learnt. According to a press release from the Italian Cultural Institute, the exhibition images focus on two main issues that symbolize the history and legend of Alexander . On the one hand, the mosaic of the house of the Faunin Pompeii, showing the battle between Alexander and the Achaemenid Darius III and, on the other, a detail of the floor mosaic in Otranto Cathedral, showing the Macedonian King's flight into heaven, one of the most symbolic episodes in the numerous versions of the Alexander Romance . History tells that Alexander, the son of Phillipius, was a Macedonian ruler and a quasi-divine figure when he died before his time in 323B.C. Mr. Gianfransisco Lusini, after presenting ‘his long yet well studied' paper (as some of the attendants commented), as a conclusive remark said, “In spite of the radical changes of the historical and cultural context, the 14 th century Ethiopian author who wrote Zena Eskinder, contributed to the never ending myth of the fourth century BC Macedonian ruler Alexander, the son of Philippus. Of this same myth something seems to be living today, around us, since our interest in Alexander , at least for a short time, leaving aside for some moment all the cares of every day lives. If this can be the modern functions of a myth, let the myth be welcomed among us!” 
The sketch book of Eduard Zanger “The Sketch book of Eduard Zanger ” that consists of 85 pages and 44 pictures to “illuminate Ethiopian manuscripts” of a 19 th century German explorer was inaugurated at the Austrian Embassy. The writer of the book Dr. Dorothea Mc Ewan from the Warburg Institute, University of London highlights some episodes of the book and explains the focus of the story to Capital: “The book is about a cultural event that gave a well illustrated image of the Zemene Mesafint (the era of the prince) in one of the historical places of the country, called Derasge Mariam (a place in Gonder, near Tekeze river).” Eduard Zanger , a German explorer who made several expeditions himself in Derasge-mariam in 1855 was captivated by the majestic beauty of the landscape. As a result, he made numerous paintings of landscapes, people and illuminated copy of revelation (Book of John) in Derasge-mariam. she added. Eduard Zanger was born in Germany in 1813 in the Duchy of Anhalt. He was one of the hostages of TheodrosII at Magdala.
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