Focus on Alexander Sarcophagus and explore the Interpretation.
The roof ridge of the Alexander Sarcophagus, made of two "massive blocks" of marble, is lined with alternating statuettes of women's heads (possibly the goddess Atargatis) and eagles. Different narratives decorate the friezes on each side and pediment of the sarcophagus, each lending to different interpretations of the overall theme of the sarcophagus itself. These different interpretations have varied due to the complex styles and subject matters. Some scholars have interpreted these narratives as biographically relating to the life of Abdalonymos, with the series beginning in 333/332 BC with the Battle of Issus and ending in 306/305 BC. Andrew Stewart argues that the sarcophagus offers no unified program or obviously coherent message at all, as the scenes in each relief contradict the other, with iconography mixing both Western and Eastern standards. The themes of battle and hunt are consistent throughout the friezes: one long side and one short side depicts each of these scenes.
The relief carvings on one long side of the piece depict Alexander fighting the Persians at the Battle of Issus. Volkmar von Graeve has compared the motif to the famous Alexander Mosaic at Naples; he concludes that the iconography of both derives from a common original, a lost painting by Philoxenos of Eretria. The comparison between the mosaic and sarcophagus has gained traction in the scholarly field, supported by other scholars such as Andrew Stewart. Alexander is shown mounted, wearing a lion skin on his head, and preparing to throw a spear at the Persian cavalry. There remains debate surrounding the importance of the historicity of the figures seen in the hunting and battle scenes. While historians such as von Grave interpret them as accurate portrayals of historic figures, other historians like Schefold focus on them as mythic subjects of the battles and royal hunt. Some scholars, as well, believe that a second mounted Macedonian figure near the center represents Hephaestion, Alexander's older close friend. A third mounted Macedonian figure is often identified as Perdiccas, one of the generals in Alexander's army.
The opposite long side shows Alexander, recognized as the "horseman at the center left," and the Macedonians hunting lions together with Abdalonymus and the Persians. Stewart has also presented that this may be an example of Alexander hunting in the Sidonian game park in 332 BC. This is a unique depiction of the Macedonians and Persians collaborating in the hunt. This is significant due to the fact that the scene on the opposite end has been largely interpreted as the Battle of Issus, which is broadly understood as a symbol of Macedonian defeat of the Persians.
One of the short ends leads the eye towards the mythic lion hunt, portraying a scene in which Abdalonymus hunts a panther. On the other short end is a battle, perhaps the Battle of Gaza in 312 BC- if this is the case, the pediment above that end would be showing the murder of Perdiccas in 320 BC. It has been conjectured that Abdalonymus ultimately died in the Battle of Gaza, although this is unsubstantiated. If this the case, however, then this pediment would be the depiction of his last moments in battle. The other pediment on the lid above shows Abdalonymus in an unidentified battle.
Naples relief carving Abdalonymus Sarcophagus frieze lion Atargatis sarcophagus Philoxenos of Eretria Sidon pediment Battle of Issus statuettes iconography Macedonian Alexander Mosaic left Battle of Gaza Hephaestion Perdiccas Persian