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after Philoxenos of Eretria (Greek (ancient) painter, active late 4th century BCE); unknown (Samnite or Greek mosaicist) [agent note] Possibly after a painting by Philoxenos or Apelles, connection not proved. |
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Greek (ancient); Roman; Samnite
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ca. 100 BCE (creation) |
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The greatest number of fine mosaics in any one house came from the House of the Faun, dating to ca. 100 BCE. Outstanding here is the Alexander Mosaic, probably representing the Battle of Issus [Issos] in Cilicia between Alexander the Great (reigned 336-323 BCE) and Darius III (reigned 335-331 BCE). The panel contained an estimated four million tesserae, all of natural stone, in a four-colour technique recalling that of Greek Late Classical painting; it was undoubtedly copied from an original painting, usually ascribed to Philoxenos of Eretria, done shortly after the battle itself. This painting was a commission for Kassander of Macedon and depicted either that at Issos (333 BCE) or that at Gaugamela (331 BCE). |
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Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Naples, Campania, Italy) 10020 [repository] House of the Faun (Pompeii, Campania, Italy) [formerSite]
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stone tesserae |
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3.13 m (width) x 5.82 m (length) |
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formerlyPartOf House of the Faun [Core 4 Sample Database, refid="18" relids="w_17"] |
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Core 4 Sample Database (VCat) [source, description] Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com (accessed 5/25/2009) |
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Greco-Roman; Hellenistic |
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historical; military; war; rulers and leaders; Alexander, the Great, 356-323 B.C.; Darius III, King of Persia, d. 330 B.C. |
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mosaic (process) |
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Battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III [en, cited, preferred]
Battle of Issus [en, cited, alternate]
Alexander Mosaic [en, cited, alternate]
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mosaics (visual works) |
| Recommended for a minimum record |
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