Alroy: The Prince of the Captivity

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20002

Title

Alroy: The Prince of the Captivity

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the 12th-century Middle East, this historical romance follows David Alroy, a young Hebrew prince exiled from his throne in Hamadan. After fleeing a humiliating tribute procession, he journeys through the harsh desert, facing thirst, bandits, and supernatural encounters. Blending political intrigue with mystical elements, the novel explores themes of exile, faith, and the enduring spirit of a people under foreign rule.

Summary up to 500 words

In Benjamin Disraeli's historical romance *Alroy: The Prince of the Captivity*, the narrative centers on David Alroy, the last of the Hebrew Princes of the Captivity. Set in the twelfth century amidst the political decay of the Abbasid Caliphate and the rising power of the Seljuk Sultans, the story opens with a stark contrast between Alroy's noble heritage and his current humiliation. Once a ruler who paid no tribute for thirty years, Alroy is now forced to lead a procession carrying tribute to the Seljuk Sultan, an event mocked by Muslim onlookers. His uncle, Bostenay, urges him to accept this role to preserve the family's dignity, but Alroy, burdened by the 'wildness' of his ancestor's blood and feeling unworthy of such a degraded state, refuses. He flees with his sister, Miriam, only to be separated from her when bandits pursue them. Alroy's journey takes him deep into the unforgiving desert, where he faces the brink of death from thirst and exhaustion. In a series of miraculous interventions, a well proves to be salty, killing his faithful horse, but a jackal is driven off by a lion, and a bird provides him with dates, signaling divine providence. He eventually reaches a ruined city, likely a former capital, where he is captured by Kurdish robbers led by Scherirah. Despite initial threats to execute him as a spy, Scherirah is moved by Alroy's piety and his mother's Jewish heritage, sparing his life. However, fearing the bandits' caprice, Alroy escapes under the cover of night. The narrative weaves together the political decay of the East, the mystical traditions of the Hebrew people, and the supernatural machinery of Disraeli's romance. Themes of pride versus humility, the endurance of faith, and the struggle for national identity are central to the plot. As Alroy continues his flight, he faces the harsh realities of the wilderness, culminating in a moment of despair where he feels abandoned by God and humanity. The story sets the stage for Alroy's eventual rise to reclaim his throne, transforming him from a fugitive into a messianic figure destined to lead his people to redemption. Disraeli uses Alroy's personal tragedy to explore the broader historical context of Jewish suffering and the potential for resurrection under the shadow of the declining Caliphate.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Religion
• Historical Fiction
• Politics
• War Stories