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

Ptolemaic Period

332–305 B.C.

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

Overview

Provenance

Title: Block with cartouche of Alexander the Great or his son Alexander IV of Macedon
Period: Ptolemaic Period
Dynasty: Macedonian Dynasty
Date: 332–305 B.C.
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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