Modern Myth: King Arthur

It is the fourth century and Britain is a land of barbarians that are constantly at war. In this time and age, a great warlord won several minor battles and became a hero to his people. Hundreds of years would pass and during this time the warrior, known only as Arthur, would become greater then a man through his legends. His stories would involve an enchanted sword, a powerful wizard, love and betrayal and the rise of a great kingdom. Though, like all legends, Arthur is a mix of truth and fairy tales. Would become a great man who is, but never was.

Shortly after the fall of Rome, Britain was a place of constant turmoil. A war against the Saxons had commenced, battles were fought, states were won and lives were lost. It was a war that the Britons were not winning, but a great warlord would soon initiate the British counterattack. He would win several minor battles and then secure victory in the Battle of Badon. His name would be praised and Ambrosius Aurelianus would be sung about for the generations to follow, as a hero.

What is the connection between Ambrosius and Arthur? Many believe that he was the historical basis of Arthur, whom had also gained victory in Badon. Historia Regum Britanniae (History of Briton, written in the Tenth Century by Geoffrey of Monmouth), which chronicles the history of British kings, described Arthur as the initiator of the British counterattack against the Saxons, which later led to victory in the Battle of Badon. Ambrosius and Arthur parallel one another with these course of events. Though, despite this, multiple sources have shown Arthur not to be based on just one person, but to actually be a composition of several. His personality from one hero, his looks from another, his charm from a third and so on.