Alexander the Great on Late Romancontorniates: religion, magic or history?

In this paper, I want to focus on a specific set of numismatic images of Alexander the Great, which has received less attention than comparable ones: the depictions on the Late Roman medallions known ascontorniates. First, in two introductory sections, I connect the tradition of Alexander's numismatic imagery with thecontorniatesand present the general characteristics of these medallions. Next, I offer a detailed analysis of the different depictions of Alexander oncontorniates. Thirdly, I briefly summarise the discussion of the functions of thecontorniatesand, on this basis, question the interpretations of them as pagan symbols and amulets proposed by Alföldi and Mittag. Finally, based on the critique of these interpretations, I argue that the Alexandercontorniatesreflect an interest in the historical figure of the great conqueror and the quasi-fictional hero of theAlexander Romance. If this Alexander was a symbol, it was of Greco-Roman patriotism and the empire's ability to prevail over its barbarian enemies.