“An edict of Alexander the Great placed him on a level with Apelles and Lysippos.” Who was this man worthy of such high praise? It was Pyrgoteles. We are standing before a statue that commemorates a master gem-engraver of ancient Greece.
The Pyrgoteles Statue is a tribute to an artist who lived in the latter half of the 4th century BC. He was so esteemed that Alexander the Great decreed he alone could engrave the king’s signet rings. Imagine the pressure.
Pyrgoteles was one of three court artists authorized to depict Alexander the Great. Apelles handled painting. Lysippos managed sculpture. Pyrgoteles took care of engraving. Pliny the Elder noted Alexander forbade anyone else from engraving his image on emeralds.
Sadly, much about Pyrgoteles remains unknown. Ancient writers didn’t record enough. Modern forgers muddied the waters. Many copies of his work circulated. It became hard to tell what was authentic. Some texts suggest Pyrgoteles also designed coin dies.
Coinage was key for royal propaganda. It spread images far and wide. Alexander never had his portrait on coins during his life. But Pyrgoteles might have designed early coins showing Herakles. Herakles was Alexander’s patron god.
After Alexander’s death, Pyrgoteles likely worked for his successors. Lysippos and Apelles were also in these courts. They were possibly his disciples.
Pyrgoteles is linked to the Lysimachi coins. These were silver and gold coins issued by King Lysimachos of Thrace around 297 BC. Lysimachos used these coins to showcase a posthumous portrait of Alexander. This gave an image of success. The coins showed Alexander with royal symbols.
In modern times, forgers have signed ancient gems with Pyrgoteles’ name. Alessandro Cesari, a 16th-century gem cutter, used Pyrgoteles’ name. You might find the inscription “P” on some pieces. This makes identifying genuine works very difficult.
Greek gem engraving influenced the Etruscans. The Greeks adopted seal engraving from the Near East. They then introduced the scarab form to Italy. Gem engraving and coins became art forms used for politics and mythology.
As we stand before the Pyrgoteles Statue let’s think about the passage of time. Remember that the city of St. Petersburg has changed its name. It was once called Leningrad. This statue reminds us of artistic legacy. It links us to ancient Greece and a master craftsman. His art spread the image of a great king. Though much is lost the name Pyrgoteles still echoes through history.