The reconstruction on the breastplate of Alexander the great from the mosaic of the battle of Issus.
A detailed explanation on the approach.
This reconstruction represents the culmination of extensive research and careful planning, with the objective of recreating the armor of Alexander the Great as faithfully as possible. Combining archaeological evidence, ancient artistic representations, and practical experimentation, the project sought to bridge the gap between scholarly interpretation and functional reconstruction.
The work is the result of a remarkable collaboration between Natalie Orfanidi of Rhodes, Greece, archaeologist and Koryvantes Association member Spyros Bakas, who served as the historical consultant, and Ilias Keranis of Archaicon, who recreated the remarkable metal Gorgoneion breastplate, with the figure being an exact copy of the gorgoneion found on the armor of Phillip the 2nd, father of Alexander the Great. Working closely together, Spyros Bakas and Natalie Orfanidi translated complex archaeological and iconographic evidence into a structurally sound and battle-ready piece.
Historical Sources
The reconstruction is based primarily on the celebrated Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun in Pompeii, depicting the Battle of Issus. Additional structural and decorative details were derived from the well-known Alexander statuette housed in Naples, allowing for a more complete understanding of the armor’s form and construction.
Typology
From a typological standpoint, the cuirass corresponds to Type IV in Jarva’s classification of the linothorax and falls within Subcategory 4 of Aldrete’s system, representing a sophisticated hybrid composite construction.
Materials and Construction
The armor is built upon a robust foundation of thick vegetable-tanned cowhide reinforced with multiple layers of pure linen bonded with natural adhesives. Sections without additional leather or metallic reinforcement attain a thickness of approximately 6–7 mm, resulting in a remarkably durable and structurally resilient cuirass.
Color Reconstruction
Particular attention was devoted to the reproduction of the armor’s colors. The palette was developed using the results of academic spectrographic analysis performed on the Alexander Mosaic, allowing for an interpretation of the original coloration with a degree of precision rarely encountered in modern reconstructions. This approach has made it possible to recreate the vibrant appearance that ancient viewers themselves may once have witnessed.
Through the combined efforts of craftsmen, historians, and archaeologists, this reconstruction seeks not merely to reproduce an object, but to offer a glimpse into the appearance and martial traditions of one of history’s most celebrated commanders.
The result is a unique piece that combines historical scholarship, traditional craftsmanship, and practical functionality in a tribute to Alexander the Great and the military legacy of ancient Macedon.
