A new study published in the journal PLOS One has shed light on the diverse origins of the approximately 2 million pieces that make up the Alexander the Great mosaic from Pompeii. The research reveals that the mosaic's tesserae—the small, regular pieces of hard material used in mosaics—were sourced from quarries far beyond Alexander's ancient kingdom, including regions in Italy, Spain, and Tunisia, as reported by IFLScience.
The Alexander Mosaic, considered the most important mosaic of the Roman age, is a detailed piece of art measuring 583 by 325 centimeters. Discovered in 1831 in the House of the Faun—a wealthy family's residence in the Roman city of Pompeii—the mosaic depicts Alexander the Great on horseback, leading the Macedonian army to victory over Persian King Darius III at the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE, as reported by IFLScience.
In 2020, restorers at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples began a non-invasive examination of the mosaic as part of a restoration project. Utilizing techniques such as portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), which employs X-rays to identify elements within an object, the team conducted the first diagnostic assessment of the mosaic's pieces, according to Live Science. This analysis revealed that the mosaic consists of ten different colors, including shades of white, brown, red, yellow, pink, green, gray, blue, black, and vitreous (glassy). These colors were "masterfully combined to enhance artistic effects," the researchers noted.
The study found that some of the intense pink tesserae may have originated from Portugal, while certain yellow blocks could have come from the Roman city of Simitthus in present-day Tunisia. Dark red pieces might be from Cape Matapan in Greece. Additionally, some white tesserae could be linked to the Marmor Lunensis from the Apuan Alps quarries in Italy, which began marble extraction in the 1st century BCE and ceased use by the 3rd century CE, as detailed by Focus Online.
Ancient artisans paid particular attention to Alexander the Great's face in the mosaic. It is composed of several shades of pink tesserae with noticeable changes in luminescence effects likely related to different chemical compositions of the pieces. These intricate details contribute to why the mosaic is "perhaps the most iconic and well-known representation of his face in ancient art," the researchers noted, according to Live Science.
The examination also uncovered traces of natural wax and the mineral gypsum on the mosaic's surface, substances likely applied as protective layers during modern restoration efforts. An endoscopic investigation of the mosaic's backside revealed many empty portions that were probably missed by these gypsum-based substances. "These potential areas of weakness should be taken into due consideration during restoration," the researchers wrote, emphasizing the need to address these issues in future conservation work, as reported by Focus Online.
The findings not only enhance our understanding of the mosaic's composition but also provide valuable insights for its preservation. "The so obtained data allowed to depict the chemical and mineralogical composition of the tesserae used for the manufacturing of the Mosaic, along with a tentative hypothesis on the provenance of the natural ones," the team wrote in their study, according to IFLScience. New data on the underlying mortars have been gathered by researchers, aiding in the development of more effective restoration techniques.
Alexander the Great, remembered today for his military conquests and empire-building endeavors, was born on July 20, 356 BCE in Pella and died on June 10, 323 BCE in Babylon. He ruled as King of Macedonia and Hegemon of the Corinthian League from 336 BCE until his death. Beginning in 334 BCE, Alexander expanded the empire of his father, Philip II, through a series of campaigns known as Alexander's Conquests. He established an empire that spread Greek culture—Hellenism—from his homeland to Egypt and parts of India, according to Focus Online.
His extraordinary military successes made him a central figure in literature and art. The Alexander Mosaic stands as one of the most significant artistic representations of his legacy, capturing a pivotal moment in his campaign against the Persian Empire. The mosaic's intricate craftsmanship and the recent discoveries about its diverse materials demonstrate the extensive trade networks of the ancient world and the far-reaching influence of Alexander's empire.
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