CLAS 4040/6040
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE HELLENISTIC WORLD
Alexander's Funerary Cart
"When Philokles was archon in Athens, Gaius Sulpicius and Gaius Aelius were elected consuls in Rome. In this year Arrhidaios, who had been placed in charge of transporting the body of Alexander, having completed the hearse on which the king's body was to be carried, was making preparations for the journey. Since the completed vehicle, being worthy of the glory of Alexander, not only surpassed all others in cost--it had been constructed at the expense of many talents-but was also famous for the excellence of its workmanship, I believe that it is well to describe it.
"First they made a hammered gold sarcophagus to fit the body, and the space between them they filled with spices to make the body fragrant and incorruptible. Upon this casket a gold cover was placed, matching it exactly and fitting about its upper rim. Over this was laid a magnificent purple robe embroidered with gold, beside which they placed the arms of the deceased, wanting the design of the whole to be in harmony with his accomplishments. Then they placed it next to the hearse that was to carry it. The hearse was covered with a golden vault, eight cubits wide and twelve cubits long, embellished with overlapping scales set with jewels; beneath the roof and running around the whole work was a rectangular cornice of gold, from which projected heads of goat stags in high relief. Gold rings two palms broad were suspended from these, and through the rings there ran a festive garland beautifully decorated with brightly colored flowers of all kinds. At the ends there were openwork tassels that held large bells, so that any who were approaching could hear their sound from a great distance. At the corners of the vault on each side there stood a golden Nike carrying a trophy.
"The colonnade that supported the vault was of gold and had Ionic capitals. Within the colonnade was a golden net, made of cords the thickness of a finger, which carried four long panel paintings, their ends adjoining, each equal in length to the wall [be- hind it]. On the first of these panels was a chariot ornamented with work in relief, and sitting in it was Alexander holding a splendid scepter in his hands. Around the king stood his bodyguards: on one side were armed Macedonians, on the other were Persian " Apple-bearers," and in front of these were armed infantry. The second panel showed the elephants arrayed for war who followed the bodyguard. They carried Indians in front and Macedonians behind, each armed in their customary equipment. The third panel showed troops of cavalry as if in formation for battle; and the fourth, ships fitted out for a sea battle. Beside the entrance to the chamber there were golden lions with eyes turned towards would-be visitors. Up the center of each column there was a golden acanthus that rose, little by little, from its base to its capital. Above the chamber in the middle of the top under the open sky there was an ornamental palm tree that carried a golden olive wreath of great size, and when the sun shone on it, it sent forth such a bright and vibrant gleam that from a great distance it appeared like a flash of lightning.
"The body of the chariot beneath the vaulted chamber had two axles upon which turned four Persian wheels, the naves and spokes of which were gilded, but the rims were of iron. The hubs of the axles were of gold, and made in the form of lion's heads, each holding a spear in its teeth. Each axle had a central bearing mechanically fitted to the middle of the vaulted chamber in such a way that, thanks to it, the chamber would be cushioned against shocks and rough ground. There were four poles, and to each of them were harnessed four teams of animals with four mules in each team, so that in all there were sixty-four mules, selected for their strength and size. Each of them was crowned with a gilded crown and had a golden bell hanging by either cheek, and about their necks were collars studded with jewels.
"This, then, was how the hearse was constructed and embellished, and the magnificence of its appearance exceeded all description. Because of its widespread fame it attracted many spectators; for the whole population of every city along its route al- ways went out to meet it and again escorted it on its way out, unable to get enough of the pleasure of beholding it. As befitting its magnificence, it was accompanied by a crowd of road menders and mechanics and also by soldiers sent to escort it.
"When Arrhidaios had spent nearly two years preparing this work, he brought the body of the king from Babylon to Egypt. Ptolemy, moreover, doing honor to Alexander, went to meet it with an army as far as Syria and, receiving the body, deemed it worthy of the greatest consideration. He decided for the present not to send it to Ammon, but to entomb it in the city that had been founded by Alexander himself, which was little short of being the most renowned city in the world. There he pre- pared a precinct that was worthy of the glory of Alexander in its size and elaboration. Entombing him and honoring him with heroic sacrifices and magnificent games, Ptolemy won fair recompense, not only from men but also from the gods.. For be- cause of his graciousness and nobility men eagerly came from all sides to Alexandria and gladly enrolled in his army."