Bronze
1969 made after the original circa 200–150 BCE
Greece
Benaki Museum
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Greek civilisation
Theme
Empire: Projecting Power
Subtheme
Seeing the Ruler / Royal Portraiture
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Measurements
88 x 49 x 59 cm
Accession Number
159
Description
Alexander of Macedon (356¬323 BCE) successfully projected his image as a handsome, young and energetic leader. His thick hair is pulled back like a lion’s mane, his eyes have the far-off gaze of Greek gods. When he died aged 32, his empire stretched from Greece to the edges of India.
Many today question whether Alexanderdeserves to be called ‘Great’ for hisimperial conquests. This 1969 version ofan ancient original presents him as an enduring symbol of Greece.
