The Historia de preliis Alexandri Magni (History of Alexander's Battles), more commonly known as the Historia de preliis (History of Battles), refers to a Latin translation and the main abridgements of a work that was originally as the Nativitas et victoria Alexandri Magni regis.
[3] Leo's prologue at the beginning of the text states that when he found the manuscript, he immediately began to work on its translation before bringing it back to Naples.
The prologue takes the argument that not only were the pagans in some respects capable of virtue, but that because they were, the Christian must be evermore a reflection of a virtuous life.
According to Domenico Comparetti, John III was a duke with an interest in the collection of letters and writings from wherever they could be found, of both secular and religious content.
[6] The translation is believed to have been produced between 951 and 969, as it was commissioned after the death of John IIIs wife, Theodora, which took place in 951, and it must have been completed before Leo himself died in 969.
Major episodes included in this recension are Alexander's visit to Jerusalem, the ascent of Alexander into an eagles basket (one of the most popular scenes depicted in medieval cathedral art), his subsequent descent into the diving bell, a scene involving prophesying trees, and a correspondence with the Brahman king Dindimus.
This version was also the direct source for a famous and long Latin epic by Quilichinus of Spoleto, which was published in 1236 (serving as a terminus ad quem for the composition of I3).