Alexander Sarcophagus

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The Alexander Sarcophagus is a 4th century BC stone sarcophagus adorned with bas-relief carvings of Alexander the Great. Discovered in the necropolis near Sidon, Lebanon in 1887, the piece is on display at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. Originally thought to have been the sarcophagus of Abdalonymus, the king of Sidon appointed by Alexander, some scholars now believe the sarcophagus was that of Mazaeus, a Persian noble and governor of Babylon.

The sarcophagus is constructed of polychromatic Pentelic marble in the form of a Greek temple. The carvings on one long side of the piece depict Alexander fighting the Persians at the Battle of Issus. Alexander is shown mounted, wearing a lionskin on his head, and preparing to throw a spear at the Persian cavalry. Some scholars believe that a second mounted Macedonian figure near the center represents Hephaestion, Alexander's close friend and possible lover. A third mounted Macedonian figure is often identified as Perdiccas. The opposite long side shows Alexander and the Macedonians hunting lions together with Abdalonymus and the Persians. One short end portrays a scene in which Abdalonymus is hunting a panther. The pediment on the lid above shows Abdalonymus in battle. The other short end depicts the Battle of Gazze and the pediment above that end shows the murder of Perdiccas.