King Arthur in Antiquity
This original and compelling study argues against the traditional identification of Arthur as a king in Celtic Britain. Instead, Graham Anderson explores the evidence for two much older figures, known to classical writers as kings of Arcadia and Lydia, over a millenium before.\ He shows how these kings can be clearly connected with traditional Arthurian characters and adventure, including an ancient Gawain, a Lady of Shallott, and a predecessor of Excalibur, and shows that the Arthurian...
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This original and compelling study argues against the traditional identification of Arthur with a king in Celtic Britain. Instead, Graham Anderson explores the evidence for two much older Arthur figures, known to classical writers as kings of Arcadia and Lydia over a millennium before. He shows how these kings can be clearly connected with traditional Arthurian characters and adventures, including an ancient Gawain, a Lady of Shallott, and a predecessor of Excalibur, and that the Arthurian universe found in Welsh tales and French Romances is already anticipated in these earliest of Arthurian materials.This radical reassessment of the origins of the Arthurian legends provides a new perspective on an age-old historical puzzle.
PrefaceAbbreviations1The traditional Arthur12The 'Sarmatian connexion' theory133A first Arktouros: King Arkas of Arcadia274Arktouros II: the evidence from folktale425Ardus, 'greatest of knights': a first Artus-figure646Some ancient Gawain-figures, and an elusive Lancelot727Holy Graals and circular objects968Tristan and Thraetaona: the Tristan legend in the East1099Six Arthurs in search of a character123App. 1From Kambles to Camalis137App. 2More 'Bear's Son' heroes: Theseus, Achilles, Batraz, Alexander141App. 3Jack the Giant Killer and King Arthur150App. 4Toxaris' third tale153App. 5The earliest Tristan text: Rhodanes and Sinonis159App. 6Mythology in the 'Nennian' battle-list167Notes169Select bibliography193Index201
