CZASOPISMO INSTYTUTU HISTORII UJK w Kielcach

ALMANACH HISTORYCZNY

ISSN 1642-4530   e-ISSN 2956-8137

 

Autor Jerzy Piątkowski (Kielce) ()
Tytuł Wóz pogrzebowy Aleksandra – arcydzieło sztuki orientalno - klasycznej
Title ALEXANDER’S FUNERAL CART – THE MASTERPIECE OF ORIENTAL-CLASSICAL ART
Słowa kluczowe Aleksander Wielki, Hieronim z Kardii, wóz pogrzebowy Aleksandra, kamara.
Keywords Alexander the Great, Hieronymos of Cardia, Alexander’s hearse (funeral cart, carriage, funerary vehicle), camara
Strony 11-30
Pełny tekst / full text
Tom 19

Summary

Shortly after Alexander’s death the possession of his body became a subject of disputes between his successors. King of Macedon, Arrhidaios, was commissioned to constr uct Alexander’s funerary vehicle. The camara soon became a legend, because of its impressive appearance and rich artistic decoration. We fnd its detailed description in Diodor of Sici-ly’s Library of History. The vehicle’s artistic design was experimental and successful blend of Macedonian, Greek and Oriental components. Alexander’s anthropomor phic, golden sarcophagus was located in an small Ionic chapel adorned with historical paintings.
The pictorial panels recalled the frieze with the Royal Tombs at Aigai. The body of Alexan-der soon became an important component in the power struggle for empire. The funeral cart honored the achievement of Alexander and it probably infuenced Ptolemaic propaganda.