Medallion with Alexander the Great

This gold medallion was made in the third century C.E., during the time of the Roman Empire, to commemorate the reputation of Alexander the Great of Macedonia, the ancient world’s greatest conqueror. It depicts Alexander without a helmet to allow his face to show the gaze looking up at the sky that he wanted artists to use in representing him. He wears armor and a shield decorated with images showing his belief in the support he received from the gods, and he holds a spear to show that he fought alongside his men. Roman emperors or high officials wore expensive objects like this to identify with heroes of the past or to give them as gifts to express their great generosity. (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland, USA / Bridgeman Images.)