The famous Alexander the Great mosaic has finally been analyzed for the first time, and researchers are revealing their discoveries.
Revelations From The Alexander Mosaic
Alexander the Great was one of the most infamous conquerors in history. Starting as the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, he spent much of his life building an empire that stretched from modern-day Macedonia to the Indian Ocean. Since the 4th century BC, many statues, paintings, and other works of art have commemorated the undefeated warrior—but none more beautiful nor as well-preserved as the mosaic discovered in the ruins of Pompeii in 1831.
Let's analyze the Roman masterpiece in more detail to see what it could reveal about history's greatest warrior.
What Does The Work Depict?
Alexander the Great's military conquests are well-known, but perhaps one of his most famous battles is depicted in the stunning mosaic.
It portrays the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE, in which Alexander the Great's forces emerged victorious against a much larger Persian army, defeating their king, Darius III.
Background On The Battle Of Issus
The Battle of Issus saw the Hellenic League, a coalition of Greek city-states that banded together to fight the Persians, take on a vast Persian Army led by King Darius III. Modern estimates place Persian forces at between 50,000 and 100,000 soldiers. Meanwhile, the Hellenic League had a force of just 37,000.
A Resounding Persian Defeat
The battle was a resounding Persian defeat, and King Darius III fled. It was the first time a Persian Army had been defeated while the king was present. It is said that Alexander's men could easily cross a ravine while in pursuit of Darius due to the piles of Persian bodies on which they could stand.
The Capture Of Darius' Family
One consequence of Darius III's disappearance from the battlefield was that his wife and two daughters were left unattended as they had traveled with him to witness the battle. Alexander's forces captured them, and they were treated with great respect and dignity. Alexander later married Darius' daughter, Stateira II.
