HEAD OF STATUE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT DISCOVERED IN TURKEY

Ancient leaders such as Caesar and Nero have become popular mythological and historical figures in the centuries since their reign. This process of turning political leaders into ideas began quite early for some, such as Alexander the Great.  Macedonian military leaders ruled all of Greece and the Far East, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. His death occurred in 323 BC. BC divided the empire into generals, but also entrenched the deceased in Greek and later Roman legend.

This enduring appeal is evidenced by the recent discovery of his 2nd-century marble head depicting Alexander in the ruins of a Roman theatre in Turkey. The marble head, severed from its original body, was discovered in the ruins of the upper floor of a Roman theatre in Konuralp, north of Duzce, Turkey. As part of the Roman Empire, it was once the territory of Alexander the Great. However, the statue was created in the 2nd century AD, more than 400 years after the leader's death. Despite this gap in time, archaeologists were able to recognise him by his distinctive posture and hairstyle. First, his gaze is directed toward heaven, a typical gaze seen in depictions of Alexander. Additionally, the statue's elegantly carved and voluminous hair is a symbol of  Alexander. "The two strands of hair in the centre of the forehead separate towards the back and sides, resembling a lion's mane," Duzce said in a statement.