The Life and Exploits of Alexander the Great: Being a Series of Ethiopic Texts

Published in 1896 by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge, then the Keeper of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities at the British Museum, this two-volume set presents a translation of the Alexander Romance as found in Ethiopic manuscripts. Budge curated these texts to make the rich, legendary tradition of Alexander the Great—which had permeated Middle Eastern and African literature for centuries—accessible to a wider Western academic audience. The work was produced during a period of intense Victorian interest in comparative mythology and ancient linguistics, reflecting Budge's mission to translate and preserve rare Eastern manuscripts.

The design and scholarly approach of the work reflect the rigorous philological standards of late 19th-century British Orientalism. Budge meticulously transcribed the Ge'ez script, accompanying it with English translations that sought to bridge the gap between historical fact and the fantastical 'Alexander Romance' traditions. Upon its release, the set was received as a monumental contribution to the study of Ethiopic literature, though modern scholars have often noted that Budge’s rapid output and specific translational style were characteristic of the era's colonial-era museum scholarship.