Alexander Mosaic
This famous mosaic was originally laid in late 2nd Century BC and can be found in the House of the Faun on the floor of its Exedra. It takes up 80% of the floor space at 5.8 by 3.13 meters and used up to two million individual pieces of tesserae. The mosaic depicts a famous battle between Alexander the Great and King Darius III of Persia. Although only partial bits of the left side remain showing the Macedonian army, the mosaic still carries great depth and detail. The unknown artist also used a variety of artistic techniques to show depth and realism including; overlapping, three-quarter view, shading, highlighting, foreshortening and shadows. An interesting aspect about this particular piece of art is that much of the background information surrounding the painting is unkown such as the exact battle, the artist and the painting it is based off as well as this artist.
Scene
"This scene is the pivotal movement in the battle of Issus between the Macedonians and Persians in 333 BC. Alexander the Great led a charge of his Companion cavalry across the river, through the ranks of Persians, and having succeeded in breaking through the persian line he charged directly at the Persian King, Darius III. Darius, in a moment of panic, considered the battle lost and fled in his chariot, His army, seeing their commander-in-chief runaway, joined the rout and fled as well.
Although Alexander and DArius did meet in one another in battle, Gaugamela in 331 BC, It is generally accepted by scholars that this scene represents the battle of Issus." - (page 43 Pompeii and Herculaneum - Study Notes)
Although Alexander and DArius did meet in one another in battle, Gaugamela in 331 BC, It is generally accepted by scholars that this scene represents the battle of Issus." - (page 43 Pompeii and Herculaneum - Study Notes)
Significance
This brilliant mosaic was a turning point in the level of ancient art work found in Pompeii as it was like no other found. This was due to its size as well as the level detail and the intricacy of the mosaic and the image it created. The Alexander Mosaic helped to further understand life in ancient Rome as, being placed in the Exedra, it would have been used as a conversational tool and an art work which would be admired from all around. The owners of the domus it in located in - House of the Faun - was owned by an extremely wealthy family with political status which suggests that many people at that time in Pompeii knew about it.
As well as this mosaic, other artworks which were found greatly inform people about life in Pompeii at that time. This is because many of the images which were found contained scenes of everyday life activities such as food they ate, activities and different scenes. 1st and 2nd Century illustrations left behind serve as windows into the past as even the tiniest detail could be analysed and found to contain a great amount of significance. Art work also shows the development of ideas and methods in a way that allowed people, such as the artist of the Alexander Mosaic, to have the skills and knowledge to produce art which has depth and a sense of realism.
The event of the mosaic also hints that the subject matter of war and battle scenes were popular among those in ancient times as winning a battle produced great amounts of respect. This could be a reason why battles by gladiators in the Amphitheatre were so popular as everyone wanted to be on the winning side. This evidence can draw a conclusion as to why this particular battle scene was chosen to be mosaicked as it shows Alexander the Great, an extremely respected King,and an expert in battle. Further reasoning why the owner of the artwork would want an image showing him conquering on the battle field
. Because it is based on a painting it also brings into question where the original painting went and how this particular artist was able to reconstruct this magnificent piece of art. The artist would have been paid handsomely as it would've been laid and completed on site, over a long period of time.
Like this particular art work, Roman artists have been seen to adopt many Greek influences. This shows Roman life as many Greeks followed the ways of the Romans. This is reflected in artwork as Greeks are perceived as being more artistic and creative compared Romans who are typically focused on strategy, battle and order. Because of this we can conclude that the artwork was significant to finding out more about life in Pompeii in all aspects as it shows certain peoples interests and how war and battle scenes were more favoured in grand houses such as House of the Faun as well as influences found within the technique of the work.
As well as this mosaic, other artworks which were found greatly inform people about life in Pompeii at that time. This is because many of the images which were found contained scenes of everyday life activities such as food they ate, activities and different scenes. 1st and 2nd Century illustrations left behind serve as windows into the past as even the tiniest detail could be analysed and found to contain a great amount of significance. Art work also shows the development of ideas and methods in a way that allowed people, such as the artist of the Alexander Mosaic, to have the skills and knowledge to produce art which has depth and a sense of realism.
The event of the mosaic also hints that the subject matter of war and battle scenes were popular among those in ancient times as winning a battle produced great amounts of respect. This could be a reason why battles by gladiators in the Amphitheatre were so popular as everyone wanted to be on the winning side. This evidence can draw a conclusion as to why this particular battle scene was chosen to be mosaicked as it shows Alexander the Great, an extremely respected King,and an expert in battle. Further reasoning why the owner of the artwork would want an image showing him conquering on the battle field
. Because it is based on a painting it also brings into question where the original painting went and how this particular artist was able to reconstruct this magnificent piece of art. The artist would have been paid handsomely as it would've been laid and completed on site, over a long period of time.
Like this particular art work, Roman artists have been seen to adopt many Greek influences. This shows Roman life as many Greeks followed the ways of the Romans. This is reflected in artwork as Greeks are perceived as being more artistic and creative compared Romans who are typically focused on strategy, battle and order. Because of this we can conclude that the artwork was significant to finding out more about life in Pompeii in all aspects as it shows certain peoples interests and how war and battle scenes were more favoured in grand houses such as House of the Faun as well as influences found within the technique of the work.