Nativity : Egyptian origins (356 BC) -- Golden vines, golden bowls and temples of fire : the Persian versions -- Cities of Alexander : Jews and Arabs adopt the hero -- The marvels of India (329-326 BC) -- 'How much land does a man need?' : Alexander's encounters with the Brahmans (326 BC) -- From the heights of the air to the depths of the sea : Alexander as inventor and sage -- Amazons, mermaids and wilting maidens -- The search for immortality -- The unclean nations and the end of time -- Death in Babylon (323 BC) -- Universal emperor : the Christian hero -- King of the world : Alexander the Greek.