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Alexander the Great - Submariner extraordinaire!
Beneath the surface of the ocean, Alexander the Great sits in a glass bathysphere, raising his eyes to the couple above. Sitting in a boat, Alexander's mistress and her new suitor make eyes at each other and hold hands.... 1/4
Beneath the surface of the ocean, Alexander the Great sits in a glass bathysphere, raising his eyes to the couple above. Sitting in a boat, Alexander's mistress and her new suitor make eyes at each other and hold hands.... 1/4
The story of Alexander's underwater adventure was invented and greatly elaborated upon during the course of the Middle Ages, especially in German vernacular literature. Alexander, who was a student of the great philosopher Aristotle, was curious to explore the ocean. 2/4
He had himself lowered into the water in a glass diving bell, taking with him three creatures: a dog, a cat, and a cock. Alexander entrusted his most loyal mistress with looking after the chain that pulled the bell up to the surface. [BL, MS Royal 20 B XX, f. 77v] 3/4
![He had himself lowered into the water in a glass diving bell, taking with him three creatures: a dog, a cat, and a cock. Alexander entrusted his most loyal mistress with looking after the chain that pulled the bell up to the surface. [BL, MS Royal 20 B XX, f. 77v] 3/4](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgAMUivXsAEA8M7.jpg "He had himself lowered into the water in a glass diving bell, taking with him three creatures: a dog, a cat, and a cock. Alexander entrusted his most loyal mistress with looking after the chain that pulled the bell up to the surface. [BL, MS Royal 20 B XX, f. 77v] 3/4")
She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4
![She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgANQFjWsAA_5Wr.jpg "She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4")
![She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgANQH_WsAAwokG.jpg "She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4")
![She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgANQLCXkAAvL88.jpg "She was persuaded by her lover to elope, however, and she cast the chain into the sea. With the chain uselessly coiled on the ocean floor, Alexander was left to devise his own escape. [Getty-Museum,-Los-Angeles,-Ms.-33,-fol.-220v] 4/4")
Different versions of the story had wide currency across medieval Europe - and beyond. In this Persian version Alexander is being lowered into the sea in a glass diving bell - while underwater, he will receive a visit from an angel who foretells his death.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/446561
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/446561
