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Alexander in Ancient Art

Background

Alexander the Great has been a prominent figure in ancient art, immortalized in various forms such as sculpture, painting, and coins. Here are some notable examples of how Alexander has been depicted in ancient art:

Sculptures

1. Lysippos' Portraits:

   • Background: Lysippos was Alexander’s official sculptor and is credited with creating the most accurate and influential likenesses of Alexander.
   • Features: His sculptures often depicted Alexander with an idealized youthful appearance, with distinctive features such as the slightly tilted head and the famous “anastole” (the characteristic upward sweep of the hair off the forehead).

2. The Azara Herm:

   • Location: Louvre Museum, Paris.
   • Features: This Roman copy of a Greek original by Lysippos is one of the most well-known portraits of Alexander, showing him with the idealized facial features that became the standard for his depictions.

3. The Head of Alexander:

   • Location: British Museum, London.
   • Features: This marble head, believed to be a copy of a work by Lysippos, captures Alexander’s youthful and determined expression.

Paintings

1. The Alexander Mosaic:

   • Location: National Archaeological Museum, Naples.
   • Origin: From the House of the Faun in Pompeii, 1st century BCE.
   • Depiction: This large mosaic depicts the Battle of Issus between Alexander and Darius III of Persia. Alexander is shown charging into battle, highlighting his bravery and leadership.

2. Pompeian Frescoes:

   • Location: Various sites in Pompeii.
   • Depictions: Frescoes in Pompeii often featured Alexander, either in battle scenes or in more mythological contexts, reflecting his lasting influence even in Roman times.

Coins

1. Alexander’s Tetradrachms:

   • Features: Coins minted during and after Alexander’s reign often featured his portrait. These coins depicted Alexander with the diadem of a king and sometimes with the horns of Ammon, symbolizing his claimed divine status.

2. Posthumous Coins:

   • Features: Many Hellenistic rulers continued to mint coins with Alexander’s image long after his death, showing his enduring legacy. These coins often portrayed him with a heroic and divine visage.

Architectural Reliefs

1. The Temple of Athena Nike:

   • Location: Athens, Greece.
   • Depiction: The friezes and reliefs from this temple include scenes that may allude to Alexander’s military exploits and his divine favor from the gods.

2. The Alexander Sarcophagus:

   • Location: Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Turkey.
   • Origin: Sidon, 4th century BCE.
   • Features: Despite its name, it likely did not belong to Alexander but features detailed reliefs of battle scenes that include depictions of Alexander in combat, emphasizing his military prowess.

Gem Engravings

1. The Gonzaga Cameo:

   • Location: Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.
   • Features: This exquisite cameo shows the profiles of Alexander and Olympias (his mother), highlighting his royal lineage and divine connections.

2. The Alexander Gem:

   • Location: Various private and public collections.
   • Features: Engraved gems often depicted Alexander’s profile or full figure, used as personal adornments and symbols of power and prestige.

Literary References in Art

1. The “Alexander Romance” Illustrations:
   • Features: Manuscripts of the “Alexander Romance” were often illustrated with scenes from his legendary exploits, blending historical events with mythical and fantastical elements.

Alexander the Great’s depictions in ancient art played a significant role in shaping his image as a heroic and almost divine figure, cementing his legacy for generations to come.

Sources

Artifacts