The statue was found in the ruins of a Roman theater in Konuralp, near Turkey’s northwestern coast, dating back to the 2nd century.
The recent discovery of a marble statue of the head Alexander, The Great, in Turkey, highlights the former leader’s enduring popularity, even hundreds of years after his death, experts say.
The statue was found in the ruins of a Roman theater in Konuralp, near Turkey’s northwestern coast, dating back to the 2nd century. Alexander, the Great died in 323 BC, meaning the statue may have been sculpted more than four centuries after his death.
In addition to the head of the Leader, other fragments of marble statues, including representations of the Greek god Apollo and the mythological figure Jellyfish, they were discovered in the ruins of the theater.
Alexander remained a popular figure in the ancient world long after his untimely death at age 32, the historian explained to LiveScience. Paul Cartledge, professor at Cambridge University and author of the book “Alexander, the Greats: the hunt for a new past” (Overlook Press, 2004).
One of the reasons for the enduring popularity of Alexander it was that his successors considered him an ideal ruler to imitate. “Candidates for his throne, and therefore his empire, used his name and said ‘he was fantastic'”said Cartledge, who was not among the researchers involved in the discovery, according to the Live Science portal.
Alessandro’s characteristics
Many candidates for throne and empire used his image and reputation to legitimize their reigns, including on coins containing his effigy. Analysis of the marble head confirmed that it represents Alexander, with noteworthy details such as his sunken, upward-facing eyes and slightly open mouth.
“[Ele] he is depicted with deep-set eyes facing upwards… and a slightly open mouth that barely reveals his teeth,” said Düzce municipality officials, who also highlighted the statue’s distinctive hairstyle. “The two tufts of hair in the center of the forehead, separated on the back and sides, is like a lion’s mane. This representation is an exclusive hairstyle by Alexandre, the great.”
At the height of his empire, Alexander ruled vast lands, stretching from Greece and Egypt to the region of Bactria, in what is now Afghanistan, and even as far as Punjab, which today belongs to Pakistan. His death occurred in Babylon, a few years after the end of his conquests, and the cause of his death has been the subject of debate, ranging from illness to poisoning, according to Cartledge.
Source: Terra
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