Alexander Sarcophagus

After recently returning from my honeymoon to Turkey and Greece, I was asked by a number of my friends to see the photos I took of Alexander’s Sarcophagus. The photos I took were taken inside the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. I won’t indulge too much in the sarcophagus’s history, as I’m sure most of the people who view this page will already have a good knowledge of its history. The sarcophagus was discovered in 1887 at Sidon and is one of the most important works from antiquity. It however is not that of Alexander the Great but is thought it belonged to Abdalonymos, the last king of Sidon. The reliefs pictured, on the six panels, show battle and hunting scenes. 

The above series of shots are thought to be that of the Battle of Issus, in 333BC, shortly after Abdalonymos was given the throne of Sidon.

This shot was taken from one of the short sides of the sarcophagus which shows a hunting scene. The figure in the centre is thought to represent that of Abdalonymos.

The above photo shows another one of the shorter sides. It shows combat between Greeks and Persians during the wars of the Diadochi. The scene is thought to represent that of the battle of Gaza, in 312BC, and is likely where the owner of the sarcophagus died.

The final relief, shown above is thought to represent the murder of Perdiccass, by his officers, after a series of defeats on the Nile River against the forces of Ptolemy. Perdiccass, if the figure in the middle and on his knees. The other bearded figure to his right is thought to be that of Alexander’s half brother Arrhidaios (Philip III).