Discovered in the ruins of an ancient synagogue in Galilee in 2012/2013, this stunning scene, part of a series of unusually well-preserved mosaics adorning the floors of a synagogue dated to the 400s A.D., has been surmised to depict a meeting between Alexander the Great and the High Priest of Jerusalem, many centuries before, but if that is what this image refers to, then why on earth is Alexander portrayed in a way he never was in ancient Greek art, i.e. with a beard (and when arriving in Jerusalem, he had not yet adopted any Persian customs), and as bringing with him a cow or an ox? Moreover, why in the world are the Judeans or Israelites portrayed as wearing robes marked with the Greek letter Eta, and as carrying swords or daggers?
This post was originally published on my profile at Academia.edu back in October 2024.
Edmund Schilvold: Skribent, fotograf, filosof, friluftsentusiast 