Non Ennarabile Textum: Allusive Ekphrasis in Francisco Javier Alegre's Alexandrias

Neo-Latin literature in colonial New Spain has a rich history that only recent years garnered broader interest from scholars. One of the most unique works produced during this time is Jesuit scholar Francisco Javier Alegre’s Alexandrias, an epic depicts Alexander Great’s conquest Phoenician city Tyre. As there scant scholarship analyzing literary elements paper focuses on usage ekphrasis—a detailed description object—in book one epic, rather than attempting to explore every allusive aspect dense text. Th rough ekphrasis, Alegre elegantly incorporates work ancient poets such as Ovid not highlight his own ability poet, but also subtly address topics would otherwise be inappropriate for priest write about. In addition more noticeable allusion, specific manipulation poetic language scene reveals potential reading Great historical analogue Hernan Cortés, both whom gained fame through conquest. Analysis text—even lens alone—reveals intricacy with which and contemporaries were composing their works, emphasizes value deeper investigations into literature.