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Dick Osseman | all galleries >> Istanbul >> Museums - Müzeler >> Istanbul archaeology museum >> Ancient Sarcophagi >> Alexander sarcophagus > Alexander Sarcophagus battle
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Alexander Sarcophagus battle

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The Alexander sarcophagus (which represents Alexander, but is not “his” sarcophagus, that one was in Alexandria and has been lost) is the most important find in the museum, and beautiful. It’s from the late 4th century BC, from Sidon. It is supposed to have been the sarcophagus in which a Phoenician King, Abdalonymnos, was laid to rest.

On one long side a battle by Alexander is represented, fighting the Persians, maybe it is the Issus battle (333 BC). Alexander can be recognized in the far left, wearing a lions skin head, like Heracles wore after he killed the Nemean Lion.

Here you see a Persian soldier aiming an arrow. Originally he would have had a metal bow and arrow in his hand, but such ornaments have been taken by plunderers.


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