Description
The commander Alexander becomes a legendary hero who combines the traits of several mythical figures, distinguished by strength and noble character. He appears in the shadow theatre tradition of Epirus. According to tradition, the monster story derives from the legend of Saint George and the princess held captive by a dragon. As a saint could not be represented on the shadow screen, the figure of Alexander the Great took his place. His costume and weapons combine armour from antiquity and the Roman-Byzantine period: a helmet, breastplate, tunic, greaves and sandals tied at the ankles. One hand holds a shield before his chest; the moving arm holds a long spear with a cross at its tip. He often appears as a deus ex machina, resolving the other characters' troubles.
