Alexander’s presence in Venice – Part 4, the Doge’s Palace

Who would check every detail of the Palace of the Doge in Venice, except the dedicated scholar? None of the millions of tourists has the patience or dedication to investigate, beyond the general overview. 

[San Marco Square, Doge's Palace on the left]

The Palace was built in the 12^th century. The concept is atypical, displaying a smooth wall with a geometric pattern of white and pink stone, which rests upon two levels of colonnades. At ground level this is an arched white stone colonnade; on the first floor, it is a loggia enhanced with quatrefoil openings in white Istrian stone. The top of the Palace is crowned with white lace stonework merlons as seen in Persepolis and Central Asia. 

The capitals on top of the columns are all different and have many stories to tell. They serve not only as decorations but also as examples of historical, moral, and political teaching. We will recognize biblical scenes, Christian virtues, medieval symbolism, the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac, aspects of everyday life, and people of the world. 

[Doge’s Palace, south facade, Alexander the Great, ca. 1350 from Engramma]

It is in this last group that Alexander the Great pops up with the inscription ALEXANDER MACEDONIAE REX as one of the Kings of the World. He is to be found on top of the fifth column counting from the Ponte della Paglia. The picture from Engramma is not the best but is the only one available. It will have to do…

Seminar on Alexander the Great

Jona Lendering, whose name is well-known from his Livius internet site, will give a seminar on Alexander the Great in the Netherlands. This is wonderful news for the Dutch-speaking people and in particular those who do not read the otherwise widely available English literature.

[Picture from Livius]

The event will take place in Wormerveer 14 kilometers northwest of Amsterdam in four separate lectures each time at 1:30 pm on Thursdays from 26 September to 3, 10, and 17 October 2024 at the Buurtcentrum de Lorzie. The standard ticket sells for 120 euros.

For more details, please click on Cursus: Alexander de Grote

Persepolis as it was 2500 years ago

In the frame of the unique exhibition Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World in 2022, I shared several informative links from the Getty Museum about Persepolis in particular (see: Fascinating Persepolis). 

Last month, the Getty added a wonderful YouTube reconstruction of the Palace of Persepolis as if you visited the plateau during its heyday with all the walls, columns, and colorful paintings to welcome us - the Palace as Alexander and his Macedonians have seen it! 

Those who had the immense pleasure of visiting the site will easily get their bearings while the others can let their imagination run free! Enjoy!