This original and compelling study argues against the traditional identification of Arthur as a king in Celtic Britain. Instead, Graham Anderson explores the evidence for two much older figures, known to classical writers as kings of Arcadia and Lydia, over a millenium before.
He shows how these kings can be clearly connected with traditional Arthurian characters and adventure, including an ancient Gawain, a Lady of Shallott, and a predecessor of Excalibur, and shows that the Arthurian universe found in Welsh tales and French romances is already anticipated in these earliest of Arthur 606 $aTales$zGreece$xHistory and criticism 606 $aBritons$xKings and rulers$vLegends 606 $aArthurian romances$vSources 606 $aLegends$zGreece 607 $aGreat Britain$xCivilization$xGreek influences 607 $aGreat Britain$xHistory$yTo 1066$vFolklore 608 $aElectronic books. 615 0$aTales$xHistory and criticism. 615 0$aBritons$xKings and rulers 615 0$aArthurian romances 615 0$aLegends 676 $a398.2/0942 700 $aAnderson$b Graham.$0156208 801 0$bFlBoTFG 801 1$bFlBoTFG 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910450695203321 996 $aKing Arthur in antiquity$92044101 997 $aUNINA