Yeskendir as an Eternal Image: His “Campaign” in Kazakh Literary Art
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1605.05Keywords:
historical personality, eternal image, legend, romantic hero, spring waterAbstract
The paper examines the “literary campaign” of Yeskendir Zulkarnaiyn (Alexander the Great) as an eternal image in folklore and literature. This historical figure, renowned for his conquests, has been preserved in collective memory through legends, narratives, and poetic works. His image is distinguished by polyvalence, high spiritual value, cultural significance, and wide dissemination, which are key features of an “eternal image.” The study compares depictions of Yeskendir in Eastern and Western literary traditions, focusing on the works of great oriental poets such as Firdousi, Nizami Ganjavi, Jami, and Alisher Navoi, as well as on the poem “Yeskendir” by Abay Kunanbayuly. Particular attention is given to the Quranic story about Zulkarnaiyn, which influenced artistic portrayals of the character. Scholars’ debates on whether Alexander and Yeskendir are the same or different figures are also addressed. In literary tradition, they are often merged into one archetypal warrior and ruler. The article emphasizes how Abay reinterpreted the legendary plot, revealing new dimensions of the hero’s nature. The famous Kazakh legend of “Two-horned Yeskendir” also plays a significant role, inspiring multiple literary adaptations. Through comparative and systematic analysis, the study reveals how Yeskendir’s historical campaign transformed into a symbolic literary journey, securing his place as an enduring cultural and poetic figure.
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