Abd al-Hasan Al-Isfahani: The great wall of Gog and Magog (1390-1450)

(Bodleian Libraries, Oxford, UK)

An illuminated page made by the 14th century Persian artist Abd al-Hasan Al-Isfahani. This page comes from the book Kitab al-Bulhan ('book of wonders'). The book contains a diverse selection of astrological, astronomical, folktales, geomantic texts etc. This page shows The Gates of Alexander, a legendary barrier supposedly built by Alexander the Great in the Caucasus to keep the uncivilized barbarians of the north. The tale itself comes from the Alexander Romance which is a historical and fictional account of the life and exploits of Alexander the Great. Gog and Magog appear in the Hebrew Bible, Christian Bible, and Quran as individuals, tribes, or lands. In the Alexander Romance, they are kings of the 'Unclean Nations', driven beyond a mountain pass by Alexander, and blocked from returning by his new wall. Gog and Magog are usually depicted as monsters who engage in human cannibalism. Page from 1390-1450.