Pompeii, Alexander Mosaic, Battle of Issus, 333 BC

Pompeii, Alexander Mosaic, Battle of Issus, 333 BC

The Alexander Mosaic, dating from circa 100 BC, is a Roman floor mosaic originally from the House of the Faun in Pompeii. It depicts a battle between the armies of Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia and measures 8 feet 11 inches by 16 feet 10 inches. The original is preserved in the Naples National Archaeological Museum. The mosaic is believed to be a copy of an early 3rd century BC Hellenistic painting. The work is traditionally believed to show the Battle of Issus. The Battle of Issus occurred in southern Anatolia, on November 5, 333 BC between the Hellenic League led by Alexander the Great and the Achaemenid Empire, led by Darius III, in the second great battle of Alexander's conquest of Asia. The invading Macedonian troops defeated Persia. The Battle of Issus was a decisive Hellenic victory and it marked the beginning of the end of Persian power. It was the first time the Persian army had been defeated with the King present.

MACEDONIAN

Album / NYPL/Science Source

Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?

6000 x 2328 px | 40.0 MB

50.8 x 19.7 cm | 20.0 x 7.8 in (300 dpi)