---
title: Head of Alexander the Great from Pergamon
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8682/head-of-alexander-the-great-from-pergamon/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Head of Alexander the Great from Pergamon

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Head of Alexander the Great from Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8682.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8682.jpg)

## Image Caption

This head was found during the excavations of the lower [agora](https://www.worldhistory.org/agora/) of [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/); it seems that it had fallen there from one of the buildings on the higher [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/). The head reveals all of the characteristic features of the sculpted heads of [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/): the drooping of the head onto the shoulder and its slight backward inclination, the great mane of hair rising from the middle of the forehead like that of a lion's mane, and its falling on both sides in uneven locks, the round eyes with heavy lids and thick eyebrows, and the slightly open mouth which does not quite reveal the teeth. The deeply furrowed forehead brings to mind the enormous problems he had already encountered although so young, and with regard to its realistic rendering, is typical of the Pergamene art of [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) during the reign of king Eumenes II. Marble. [Hellenistic Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenistic_Period/), first half of the 2nd century BCE. From Pergamon, Bergama, in modern-day [Turkey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). (Museum of [Archaeology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Archaeology/), Istanbul, Turkey). NB: The description of the head was taken from the book "Istanbul Archaeological Museums" by Alpay Pasinli.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2018, May 12). Head of Alexander the Great from Pergamon. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8682/head-of-alexander-the-great-from-pergamon/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Head of Alexander the Great from Pergamon." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 12, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8682/head-of-alexander-the-great-from-pergamon/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Head of Alexander the Great from Pergamon." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 May 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8682/head-of-alexander-the-great-from-pergamon/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 12 May 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.