Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedon) was born 356 BC and died in 323 BC. By the age of 33 he had conquered most of the known ancient world. Tutored from childhood by Aristotle himself, he is thought of having one of the great minds of history, strategic brilliance and magnetic charisma. I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. (quote of Alexander)
Alexander's conquests were notably the first time that a form of 'globalization' was to have occurred in history, spreading the Greek language and ideals in culture, science, the arts, commerce and currency. The extent of his empire was vast, reaching as far as India and modern-day Afghanistan.
After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, owing to the fierce competition of his successors (diadochoi), his enormous empire was broken up into 7 independent dominions. This marked the end of the classical age and the beginning of the Hellenistic period.
1) Coins which were issued during Alexander's LIFETIME (often depicting the god Hercules or Athena) Hercules's image on Alexander the Great's lifetime coins was a tribute to the semi-god. It is said that out of 'modesty' Alexander did not want to provoke the gods by depicting his own image and chose Hercules instead. This way Alexander could cleverly also be widely associated with the virility and strength of Hercules himself.
2) Coins issued immediately after Alexander the Great's death by his successor King Lysimachus of Macedon. These coins DEPICTED ALEXANDER the Great himself in some of the most beautiful coin portraiture seen in universal coinage.
Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedon) was born 356 BC and died in 323 BC. By the age of 33 he had conquered most of the known ancient world. Tutored from childhood by Aristotle himself, he is thought of having one of the great minds of history, strategic brilliance and magnetic charisma. I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. (quote of Alexander)
Alexander's conquests were notably the first time that a form of 'globalization' was to have occurred in history, spreading the Greek language and ideals in culture, science, the arts, commerce and currency. The extent of his empire was vast, reaching as far as India and modern-day Afghanistan.
After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, owing to the fierce competition of his successors (diadochoi), his enormous empire was broken up into 7 independent dominions. This marked the end of the classical age and the beginning of the Hellenistic period.
1) Coins which were issued during Alexander's LIFETIME (often depicting the god Hercules or Athena) Hercules's image on Alexander the Great's lifetime coins was a tribute to the semi-god. It is said that out of 'modesty' Alexander did not want to provoke the gods by depicting his own image and chose Hercules instead. This way Alexander could cleverly also be widely associated with the virility and strength of Hercules himself.
2) Coins issued immediately after Alexander the Great's death by his successor King Lysimachus of Macedon. These coins DEPICTED ALEXANDER the Great himself in some of the most beautiful coin portraiture seen in universal coinage.
As with all of Alexander's imperial tetradrachms, the obverse of the above coin depicts a young (beardless) Herakles/Hercules wearing a lion skin headdress, with the lion's paws tied at his neck.
Obverse depicts Athena wearing a crested Corinthian helmet ornamented with a coiled snake, wearing an earring and a necklace, her braided hair falling straight down the back of her neck and visible as wavy locks beneath her helmet to the side. The reverse depicts the winged goddess Nike "victory" holding a wreath and ship stylis (ornament) or a mast, and...
The obverse shows the head of Alexander the Great, wearing horn of Ammon. The reverse shows Athena enthroned, seated left, holding Nike and resting hand on shield.
The head of Apollo god of prophesy and music facing right, with the features of Alexander the Great.
The Lysimachos coin is renown for its incredible depiction of Alexander the Great.
As with all of Alexander's imperial tetradrachms, the obverse of the above coin depicts a young (beardless) Herakles/Hercules wearing a lion skin headdress, with the lion's paws tied at his neck.
As with all of Alexander's imperial tetradrachms, the obverse of the above coin depicts a young (beardless) Herakles/Hercules wearing a lion skin headdress, with the lion's paws tied at his neck.
Depicted is the head of Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Ammon.
As with all of Alexander's imperial tetradrachms, the obverse of the above coin depicts a young (beardless) Herakles/Hercules wearing a lion skin headdress, with the lion's paws tied at his neck.
Depicted is the head of Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Ammon.
The head of Alexander the Great, wearing horn of Ammon.
Small Alexander The Great (Lysimachos) Coin Pendant with Greek Key Pattern. Gold plated silver coin on silver bezel
Small Alexander The Great (Hercules) Coin Pendant with Greek Key Pattern. Gold plated silver coin on silver bezel.
Medium Alexander The Great (Lysimachos) Coin Pendant with Greek Key Pattern. Gold plated silver coin on silver bezel
Medium Alexander The Great (Hercules) Coin Pendant with Greek Key Pattern. Gold plated silver coin on silver bezel.
Large Alexander The Great (Hercules) Coin Pendant with Greek Key Pattern. Gold plated silver coin on silver bezel.
Large Alexander The Great (Lysimachos) Coin Pendant with Greek Key Pattern. Gold plated silver coin on silver bezel
As with all of Alexander's imperial tetradrachms, the obverse of the above coin depicts a young (beardless) Herakles/Hercules wearing a lion skin headdress, with the lion's paws tied at his neck.
The ancient Greeks idolized intellect and spirit, while gods shared mortal passions and flaws to make themselves more accessible to humans. Beauty and harmony were truly at the heart of the ancient Greek civilization. This never fails to inspire our intellectual, scientific and spiritual worlds.
Each jewel uncovers an epic highlight from 5000 years of self-decoration and is curated with passion since 1928 by the Vaphiadis family, a virtuoso signature in the field for 5 generations. Our jewelry collection has been consistently preferred by various royalties, heads of state and international personalities and is also sold through a host of top world class museums such as the Louvre.
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