Battle of Issus 333 BC - Mosaic detail

Alexander the Great fighting the Persian king Darius III in the battle of Issus 333 BC. Detail from mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii. Displayed at Naples National Archaeological Museum, Naples, Italy. Click here to see the whole mosaic!


The portrait of Alexander is one of his most famous. Alexander's breastplate depicts Medusa (Pan-Hellenic symbol from Greek muthology), the famous Gorgon, and his wavy hair is typical of royal portraiture as established in Greek art of the fourth century B.C. He is portrayed sweeping into battle at the left, on his famous horse, Bucephalos, and focusing his gaze on the Persian leader.