Alexander the Great Sarcophagus
This sarcophagus was discovered in the late nineteenth century during excavations in Lebanon close to the Phoenician city of Sidon. It depicts Alexander and his soldiers in combat. The sarcophagus was probably made for Abdalonymus, the king of Sidon.
Credits
Ronald Slabke “Alexander Sarcophagus Battle of Issus,” commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_Sarcophagus_Battle_of_Issus.jpg. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Related Guide
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3rd–6th Centuries
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Alexander’s Ascent into the Air
y. Avodah Zarah 3:1, 42c
The sages say: The only [idolatrous image] that is forbidden is one which has a staff, or a bird, or a sphere in its hand. “A staff”: with which it suppresses the world; “a bird”: My hand has found…
Alexander in Daniel’s Vision
Seder ‘olam 30
And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece; and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. . . . And a mighty king shall stand up. . . . And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall…
Alexander and the Birthright of Israel
Genesis Rabbah 61:7
And to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts (Genesis 25:6). In the days of Alexander the Macedonian, the children of Ishmael came to challenge Israel regarding the…
Alexander’s Adventures Traveling to Africa
b. Tamid 32a–b
[Alexander] said to [the sages], “I need to go [conquer] the country of Africa.” They said to him, “You cannot go, because the mountains of darkness block the way.” He said to them, “I must go, and…
Alexander’s Adventures past the Mountains of Darkness
Leviticus Rabbah 27:1
Alexander the Macedonian went to visit King Kazia past the mountains of darkness. He came to a certain province called Carthage, which was inhabited entirely by women. [Some women] came out to greet…
Alexander the Great Coin
During Alexander’s reign, official coins bearing his name and image were struck throughout the empire. The front of this silver coin depicts Alexander as Herakles, and the back depicts a seated Zeus…