The History of Fighting

Title:  The Alexander Mosaic

Date:  c. 100 BCE

Artist:  Unknown

This mosaic was found in the House of the Faun in Pompeii and depicts a battle between the armies of Alexander the Great (left) and Darius III of Persia (in the chariot to the right). Alexander’s, upper body and head are still visible and on his breast plate is a picture of Medusa. Darius is believed to be desperately trying to flee the battle and his extended arm may suggest he had just thrown a javelin. The Alexander mosaic is thought to be a recreation of an earlier painting from the 3rd century BCE by the artist Philoxenos of Eretria.