Discovery of the Battle of Issus Mosaic

Introduction

• Date and Place of Discovery: October 24, 1831, House of the Faun, Pompeii
• Description: Mosaic depicting the Battle of Issus, victory of Alexander the Great against Persian King Darius III.

Characteristics of the Mosaic

• Technique: Roman copy of a Hellenistic painting made using the mosaic technique.
• Tesserae Dimensions: Very small tesserae with a maximum side of 3 mm, allowing for a painting-like effect.
• Chromatic Effects: Chiaroscuro and reflections skillfully created, visible on the glossy coats of the horses.
• Colors Used: White, black, ranges of ochre, browns, and reds, typical of classical Greek painting.

Scene Details

• Protagonists: Alexander on horseback transfixes a Persian dignitary; Darius on the royal chariot with a gesture of distress.
• Artistic Details:
  • Chiaroscuro Effects: Great skill in creating light and shadow effects.
  • Perspective and Depth:
    • Perspective foreshortenings and representation in perspective of oblique bodies.
    • Elements suggesting depth: horse in the center, weapons on the ground, spears in the background.
  • Refined Details: Finely decorated garments, weapon reflections, intense gazes of men and animals.

Final Considerations

• Pictorial Technique: Sublime levels achieved by the ancients in the pictorial technique.
• Overall Effect: Enveloping sensation of movement, battle noises, clashing weapons, and horses' neighs.