The Hermitage museum in Amsterdam, a branch of the renowned Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, is hosting a very interesting exhibition about Alexander the Great. Alexander needs hardly any introduction: he became king of the Macedonians aged 20 and led a Greek army against the Persian empire. By the age of 33, he had crushed the Persians, was declared son of god Amun-Ra in Egypt and had extended his empire from Greece up to the river Indus. He died soon after in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, but his legend fascinated people for centuries after his death and his conquests changed the history of world.
The exhibition in the Hermitage is exploring the legacy of Alexander in art throughout the centuries, as well as the influence that hellenistic civilization exerted in the cultures of the regions that came under greek dominance. The exhibition also focuses on the reality of Alexander, his education by Aristotle and the mindset that led him to become such a brilliant strategist and conqueror. For those interested in history and ancient cultures, this event is a must-see.
Open until March 18
