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Media Releases
July, 2005
Alexander the Great – A Wonder of the Ancient World
On the night in 356BC that a son was born into the Royal Dynasty of the Ancient Greek state of Macedon, the Temple of Artemis was destroyed by fire. The Temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but if ever there was a man made to take its place, it was that newborn – the future Alexander the Great.
Undoubtedly a wonder of the human world, Alexander is arguably the most influential figure in the history of western civilisation. Ensuring the spread of Greek culture from Gibraltar in the west to India in the east, the ramifications of Alexander’s short-lived reign would reverberate down the ages to the current day.
Born to greatness…
Alexander’s father, Philip II, quickly realised the greatness of his son’s destiny, telling him to ‘seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee’. The ambitious young Alexander would go much further than even his father had imagined, carving an expansive empire out of Europe and Asia.
Obviously not shy in his ambitions, Alexander’s life is largely defined by an extraordinary series of military triumphs. A brilliant strategist, victory after victory fell to the young king, often against the odds, as he forged a path of conquest all the way to India. More than a brutal conqueror, however, the well-read Alexander had been tutored by Aristotle, and was as much skilled politician as he was military genius.
Although force was the key route to pure, practical power, it was the enlightened way in which Alexander dealt with his vanquished opponents that has made his legend so compelling. He is remembered in Egypt as a liberator, in India as a philosopher and even amongst the nations he subdued, Alexander is seen as a valiant conqueror and worthy foe.
The King is dead…
On the 10th of June, 323BC, less than 13 years after he took the throne at the age of 20, Alexander III of Macedon died. Ascribed alternately to poison or malaria, the real cause of death will never be known.
During his brief reign, Alexander conquered what was then considered the civilised world, and in so doing, created tremendous social, economic, intellectual and cultural exchange. Inspiring a wave of colonisation across Europe and into Asia, Alexander ensured the predominance of the Hellenistic Age, helping establish the pre-conditions necessary for the birth of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity.
As his power grew, Alexander may well have believed himself a god on earth, but even he would have been surprised by the consequences of his rule, and the fame he achieved upon his untimely death.
An Empire divided…
Alexander’s extraordinary impact would only become properly apparent over time, but even at the moment his reign ended, he commanded unprecedented respect. In death, Alexander’s spirit, and image, would for centuries remain the driving force of the ancient world, with his memory treasured and exploited in equal measure.
The massive empire established by Alexander was divided amongst his commanders – Lysimachos, Ptolemy I, Antigonus I, Antipater amongst others – and it would be they, and their successors, who would develop the legend of Alexander the Great and maintain the spread of Hellenistic civilisation. Most importantly, Alexander’s legacy would be preserved for eternity through his successors’ employment of his portrait on their coins.
Portrait of Power
As was traditional, there were no coins carrying Alexander’s portrait issued during his reign, with his features first seen on posthumous issues. Many of his generals – having divided the empire and now establishing colonies with their immense Greek armies – struck coins that bore the portrait of Alexander. Egypt’s Ptolemy I – founder of a dynasty that would end with the death of Cleopatra in 30BC – was the first to do so, while Lysimachos’ Alexander portrait coins are thought to carry the most artistically pleasing likeness of the late king.
The use of Alexander’s features inspired trust in the currency, gave legitimacy to the issuer’s rule, and commanded instant respect in the world of trade. Indeed, so trusted were Alexander portrait coins, they were the most recognised trade coins throughout the eastern Mediterranean for several centuries.
Today, the gold and silver coins of the Ancient world offer one of the few tangible ways we can experience this colossus of Greek history. With most physical history from the period lost over the 2,300 years that have passed since his death, or known only by priceless examples held by museums and public institutions, coins bring the reality of Alexander the Great within the reach of all people.
It doesn’t matter what type of coins you collect – or even whether you collect coins at all – to hold a coin of Alexander the Great is to hold the very foundations of western civilisation in your hands.
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