The Great Gallery
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336–323 BC

Alexander the Great

Alexander of Macedon became king at twenty and, in just twelve years, conquered Persia, Egypt and lands as far as India without losing a major battle. He spread Greek language and ideas across the known world, then died in Babylon at thirty-two. His generals split his empire, but Greek culture lived on in it for centuries.

Why artists painted it

Alexander is the model of the young hero-conqueror. Painters showed him taming his horse Bucephalus, cutting the Gordian knot and being kind to his enemy's captured family, scenes that mix glory with mercy.

Alexander the Great trust to physician Phillip Alexander the Great trust to physician Phillip · Henryk Siemiradzki, 1870

11 artworks about this moment

Alexander the Great trust to physician Phillip Alexander the Great trust to physician Phillip Henryk Siemiradzki · 1870 🕰️ Painted about 2,190 years later Alexander calmly drinks the medicine his doctor Philip offers, even after being warned that Philip might be poisoning him, a famous story about trust. The Battle of Alexander at Issus The Battle of Alexander at Issus Albrecht Altdorfer · 1529 🕰️ Painted about 1,850 years later Thousands of tiny soldiers swarm across a landscape of mountains, sea and glowing sky in Albrecht Altdorfer's view of Alexander the Great beating the Persian king Darius at Issus in 333 BC. The Entry of Alexander into Babylon The Entry of Alexander into Babylon Charles Le Brun · 1665 🕰️ Painted about 1,990 years later Alexander rides into Babylon on a chariot in 331 BC with elephants, flower petals and cheering crowds. The Passage of the Granicus The Passage of the Granicus Charles Le Brun · 1665 🕰️ Painted about 1,990 years later Alexander's cavalry charges across the Granicus river in 334 BC, the first big battle against the Persians. Alexander and Porus Alexander and Porus Charles Le Brun · 1673 🕰️ Painted about 2,000 years later The Indian king Porus, who fought bravely and lost, is brought before Alexander. The Family of Darius before Alexander The Family of Darius before Alexander Paolo Veronese · 1570 🕰️ Painted about 1,890 years later After the Battle of Issus, the mother and family of the defeated Persian king kneel before Alexander. The Battle of Alexander against Darius The Battle of Alexander against Darius Pietro da Cortona · 1650 🕰️ Painted about 1,970 years later Pietro da Cortona paints a whirlwind of horses and spears as Alexander charges at the Persian king Darius. The Battle of Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela Jan Brueghel the Elder · 1602 🕰️ Painted about 1,920 years later Jan Brueghel the Elder spreads thousands of tiny soldiers across a sunlit plain for the battle that ended the Persian Empire, probably Alexander's win over King Darius. Alexander and Diogenes Alexander and Diogenes Gaspar de Crayer · 1625 🕰️ Painted about 1,950 years later Alexander the Great, who has everything, offers the philosopher Diogenes anything he wants. Alexander Cuts the Gordian Knot Alexander Cuts the Gordian Knot Jean-Simon Berthélemy · 1767 🕰️ Painted about 2,090 years later According to legend, whoever could untie the huge Gordian knot would rule Asia. Alexander the Great and Roxane Alexander the Great and Roxane Pietro Rotari · 1756 🕰️ Painted about 2,080 years later Alexander the Great sits with Roxane, the Bactrian princess he married in 327 BC.