Alexander Sarcophagus

Alexander Sarcophagus is a modern term for a 325 BC -made, well-preserved, magnificent marble sarcophagus. He was found in 1887 by the Turkish archaeologist Osman Hamdi Bey in the largest and youngest of the seven grave chambers of the royal necropolis of Sidon in Lebanon and restored by the sculptor Osgan Efendi. Today it is in the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul. It received its name because one shown on one of his reliefs mounted warrior with a lion helmet ( probably the Battle of Issus ) takes part in a battle against the Persians, is usually identified with Alexander the Great. The sarcophagus, which perhaps was commissioned by the Abdalonymus used by Alexander the king of Sidon, was made ​​into an Attic workshop, possibly that of Praxiteles.

On all four sides and on the gables of the sarcophagus is decorated with relief images. Point to a longitudinal side of the aforementioned battle between Macedonians and Persians and on the opposite longitudinal side of Macedonians and Persians with these now reconciled jointly undertaken lion and deer hunting. The relationship between historical authenticity of the scenes depicted and general ruler representation is controversial. The polychromy, which was preserved in tracks until today, distinctive for this sarcophagus. To find the time it was still almost completely intact due to the protected circumstances in the grave chamber, since the colors fade rapidly. 1912, the reliefs were documented on color watercolors.

The grave was disturbed by grave robbers in ancient times. Gives an indication of a presumably lost by the grave robbers coin that was found at the bottom of the chamber. It dates from the third century BC The grave robbers damaged the sarcophagus in some places. They also seem distant and small, crafted from silver weapons that kept the figures in their hands. It was found a small silver ax that no longer can be classified into the overall context of the relief frieze. Good to recognize, however, that the figures apparently weapons had in their hands that are missing today.