A Hellenistic Ruler Portrait from Sillyon in Pamphylia: A New Head of Alexander the Great?

Abstract

In this paper, the marble head of a young man, reportedly unearthed in 1986 in Sillyon (ancient Pamphylia, modern-day Antalya, Türkiye), is examined. The head is currently housed in the Antalya Museum. The head, crafted from white-greyish marble and measuring 47.5 cm in height, depicts a youthful, clean-shaven man with distinct physiognomic features. An oval face with deep-set almond-shaped eyes gazes upward, and a unique arrangement of wavy hair strands forms an atypical anastole. The sharp rightward turn of the neck and the remnant of a chlamys stand out. Stylistic analysis and analogy suggest that the head should be associated with known portraits of Alexander the Great, particularly early depictions of him as a crown prince. Yet deviations in hairstyle and neck posture suggest a posthumous reinterpretation. Technical features and drill marks suggest a production date in the 2nd century BC, potentially during the period of the Diadochi.

Keywords

• Sillyon
• marble head
• ruler portrait
• Hellenistic
• Alexander the Great

References

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