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Item Number: 114558
Title: From Heracles to Alexander the Great: Treasures from the Royal Capital of Macedon, a Hellenic Kingdom in the Age of Democracy
Author: Kottaridi, Angeliki (et al)
Price: Not Available
ISBN: 9781854442543
Description: Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2011. 28cm., pbk., 272pp., 270 illus., most in color. Exhibition catalogue. Summary: Philip II of Macedonia and his son, Alexander, were the stuff of myths – myths they created and perpetuated through their conquests, buildings and art works. Nearly 600 objects of gold, silver, bronze and other materials demonstrate the extent of their power as well as their patronage of the arts. This material is contained in the catalogue of a groundbreaking Ashmolean Museum exhibition, “Heracles to Alexander the Great.” The catalogue was written by archaeologist Angeliki Kottaridi and 13 contributors. The finds are from Aegae, the ancient capital of Macedonia, birthplace of Philip and Alexander, now the modern city of Verginia) during 30 years of excavations. Apart from a few items in New York in 2006, these pieces have never been seen anywhere. Philip and Alexander were able to conquer Greece and extend their empire not only through land grabs and masterful military prowess, but by their adoption of Greek ideas from such as Plato and Pythagoras. At the same time, they integrated the heroes of Greek mythology into their new iconography -- on statues, architecture, decorative objects and coinage they procured -- the best artisans of the Ancient World. The exhibition itself -- on through August 29, 2011 at the museum in Oxford, England -- is being called “the most important Greek cultural event in many years.” The spectacular royal tombs were discovered in the 1970s, remarkably preserved with much of their contents intact. An example of the sophistication and wealth of this royal family is the necklace (above) described as: “… the most beautiful piece of ancient Greek jewellery known to us” by historian Robin Lane Fox. It is a gold myrtle wreath adorned with 112 gold flowers that belonged to one of Philip’s seven wives. Of the epic tale that Phillip and Alexander wove for history, Dr. Kotaridis writes that.’Herodotus had claimed Alexander the Great did not just spring out of nowhere to take over the whole world.’ He was a scion of the Temenides dynasty that ruled the Macedonian kingdom for three and half centuries. As a ‘descendant’ of Hercules (Hercules) and Zeus, one example of Philip’s political acumen is a magnificent armour suit that bears similarity to the mythological armour of Achilles (including gold straps and lions’ heads as decoration – ie., the labours of Heracles). The objects tell of: Macedonian men in war and hunting; princesses, queens and high priestesses, fashion and ritual; the Symposium; about the building plan of the palace. Included is a remarkable marble bust of Alexander; portraits of Philip and Alexander from the gold and ivory mortuary couch found in the royal tombs; architectural remains; and banquet objects. The rise of the mountain kingdom of Macedonia, its dominance of the Greek states and then the climactic struggle with the Persian Empire has left some of the most extraordinary archaeological remains to be uncovered in countries ranging from Greece to Afghanistan. This material, while scholarly, is presented in a non-academic manner. All illustrations are in color. The book will appeal to the general public, aficionados, history buffs, art historians and archaeologists.

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Michael Shamansky, Bookseller Inc.
P.O. Box 3904, Kingston, New York 12402 US
Phone: 845-331-8519
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Email: michael@artbooks.com

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