König Artus

Conceived with magical power, raised as an unrecognized son of a king, and as a barely noticed squire, he is the one who draws the sword Excalibur from the anvil and stone – thus becoming the king and savior of Britain: Arthur. King Arthur is a modern mythological figure that has inspired Hollywood films and other productions, as well as theatrical performances, musicals, comics, and fantasy literature. Iconic props like the sword Excalibur, the round table, or the Holy Grail are widely known. But what lies behind this popular legendary figure? The answer leads to the rich Arthurian literature of the Middle Ages, written throughout Europe, which painted a picture of a world that is as colorful as it is bizarre. The traces of King Arthur then become increasingly elusive. However, they do exist and lead back to the era around the year 500 on the British Isles, a time of tremendous upheaval, from which far too few testimonies have survived. By exploring these origins, the author outlines the journey of how a historical person became a legendary figure and ultimately an omnipresent myth.