This is amazing. The craft manship is just beyond imaginable. I have slowly come to the conclusion that the ancients were just as intelligent if not more intelligent than us. They obviously understood anatomy, perspective etc. I don't even think we have the talent left to create such a masterpiece now. We just have the benefit of time and accumulated knowledge on our side now

What a stunning piece. I can't understand why I've never seen it before.

Thanks Smart History. Your videos are absolutely thrilling!

What a fantastic work! It's a miracle that it has survived in such an excellent state.

I never, ever knew this sarcophagus existed, until now!!! This is a beautiful work of art! I cannot believe this. I am left salivating.

I've been here! Photographs truly do not do this object justice. It is so big and so gorgeous, and there are ghosts of the paint everywhere.

If this is Abdalonymus tomb, he knew Alexander the Great.....in fact made king by Alexander...... how amazing is that ....

WOW! Alexander Sarcophagus , What a Great Story of War Battles Macedon-Greek soldiers Versus Persian War Empire Enemy , brutal killing stab wound if They live or to die survive , This is for my memory of Alexander The Great king from Egypt Pharaoh. Alexander The great found in the Tomb of Alexandria from Egypt.

When I first saw this in museum, I stumbled by its artistic quality.

I admired this sarcophagus in july 2007. It' s like something out of this World.

I think this one of the many things Alexander had commisioned for Hephestion after he died, that fell through because of Alexanders' own death.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Sculptor Skill level 1,000,000

What degree of restoration is present in this work? Is there a significant presence of 19th century European sculptor participation? Has coloring been added? It is sensational. Rivals Michelangelo easily. The animals, their anatomy and expression are just astonishing.

fascinating and intense descriptions; history revealing itself via art, and the clues to the history of the artwork itself. excellent execution and emotional impact as always, thank you ! ... it's both amazing and terrifying to know we as humans have thousands of years of technical and civilized abilities, yet still find ourselves ever ready to be at each other's throats.

Wonder if a reconstruction of the Alexander Sarcophagus exists anywhere with all the painted colors and metal weapons and harnesses? Would be interesting to see the Sarcophagus as first intended and executed.

I vividly remember seeing this in Istanbul. Seeing it in person is an amazing experience and photographs cannot convey the beauty.

the amount of diaspora of hellenic anicent art spread all over the world is crazy i mean wtf hellas everywhere

Currently writing a paper on this sarcophagus and this video really helped!! Thank you for making it :D

The artistic aptitude rivals that of Michaelangelo.

0:34 The calvaryman on the right just makes me want to load up Rome Total War: Alexander.

I hope that someday the Alexander Sarcophagus will be returned to its rightful place in my country Lebanon .

The Macedonians were Greeks (one of the Greek tribes), as Herodotus, the father of history, says.

been to the bardo museum elgem tunis, plus alexandria new library, thats amazing sagcophagus also macadonia

Absolutely stunning and beautiful

Extraordinary artist and workmanship: I've seen it in Istanbul and I couldn't believe my eyes due to the details and their actual conservation. Is there any hypothesis about the potential source and the atelier provenance?

A Persian satrap depicting himself as a member of the companion carvery in the centre - even though he fought for the Persians against Alexander? This is more likely the sarcophagus of Hephaestion imo - that was reused for someone else. The bones found within need DNA testing.

You know, if you two would cover a Hockey Game in Canada you could take over the whole country!

The central figure was more likely Hephaestion, who appointed Abdalonymus as the King. He would not have been at the battle. He was a peasant before being recruited by Hephaestion to be king.

Why would some individuals in the scene be naked, while others were not? Was it normal for people to be naked in public?

So if it was found in a royal necropolis, it begs the question, who would have access to admire such an elaborate piece? Was it only meant for a select few? Or did larger members of the public somehow have access?

It is perfect.

Very informative, as you always are your descriptions, and I thank you for your good work. But this one needs a further explanation about the colors that cover such glorious marble: Purple? Please, Explain that to me! What I know is that purple, in antiquity, was used only by the Chinese artists of Qin Shi Huang, who were somehow capable to handle aluminum byproducts. What I knew is also that the Mediterranean artistic capacity was limited to the use of actual "purple", I mean the use of the mollusks. Is there something different, recently discovered, from the assumed invention of purple paint in the XIX, that I m not aware of?

In this battle Alexandre was nearly killed, his friend which he later killed safed him by knocking off the attacker's arm with which he holds his sword. You can see this from 2:25

When was this sarcophagus dug up?

How did this masterpiece end up in Constantinople, does anyone know?

Has it been opened?

Why are weapons removed?

😂 I wanted to hear Dr. Zucker pronounce the King's name. If I hadn't heard that many ancient sculptures were brightly colored, I would've been very confused / surprised by the pigment on this sarcophagus. The scenes here are amazing - I love the brave, to-the-death-of-me nude figure, but the archer's my favorite.

When they discovered them , the bodies had to have been inside. Where are they now and how come they never mention that and why is it not of import that they are removing graves and beings ?

Alexander’s tomb has not been found

Fighting hunting naked?no comments about that!?

THERE ARE TWO IMAGAES OF ALEANDER BUT, ONE HAS THE LIONS HEAD AS A HAT AND THE OTHER HAS NO HAT. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE ONE WITHOUT THE HAT IS NOT ALEXANDER AS IMAGES WERE SO CONSISTANTLY CODIFIED.

Sculpture is gorgeous - But - Why would Alexander or his sarcophagus be in Istanbul? There's another researcher that is intent he found Alexander in Jordan - much more reasonable and Alexander has on his breastplate. Loaded with gold - a large masoluem with other individuals interred there. Way more reasonable. Tolumi removed Alexander from his sarcophagus - based on recorded history.

Really irritating presentation style.