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Block with cartouche of Alexander the Great or his son Alexander IV of Macedon

Ptolemaic Period
332–305 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130
The preserved cartouche gives the name of Alexander, although omitting one of the usual signs. This should be Alexander the Great, who conquered Egypt in 332 BC and died in 323 BC, or just possibly his son by Roxanne Alexander IV of Macedon who ruled Egypt in absentia from 316-306 BC.
To the left of the cartouche may be seen the remains of the king's first cartouche. Below the heads of two uraei crowned with disks may just be seen, possibly referring to two goddesses and part of an epithet of the king.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Block with cartouche of Alexander the Great or his son Alexander IV of Macedon
  • Period: Ptolemaic Period
  • Dynasty: Macedonian Dynasty
  • Date: 332–305 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: H. 17.5 cm (6 7/8 in.); W. 10.6 cm (4 3/16 in.); D. 4.6 cm (1 13/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966
  • Object Number: 66.99.133
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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