Greek general

North Side.—The sculptures on this side represent a hunting scene. The central group is composed of three figures of horsemen; that in the middle is of a mounted Persian (probably the same that is depicted at the head of the sarcophagus) spearing a lion which has sprung at his horse’s breast, and which another hunter is clubbing; the other two horsemen, one on the right and the other on the left, are galloping to the first one’s assistance; the one on the left can be no other than Alexander, as is evinced by the crown on his head, while the one on the right appears to be the Greek general who figures in the battle-scene on the other side of the sarcophagus. To the right and left respectively of the central group are two secondary ones, each composed of a Greek and a Persian; that on the left is of a Persian archer taking aim at a lion, and of a running Greek with javelin poised and aimed at a deer; that on the right is of a Greek spearing a stag which a Persian is about to club.

Foot.—Here all the figures are of Persians. In the centre a Persian (probably the same as is represented on the head and one of the side slabs) dealing a blow with his axe at a panther; to the left a henchman is trying to hold a frightened horse, under which a hound is rushing at the panther; towards the right are two more hunters about to attack the panther; while, on the left, a third bearing a buckler gives it a spear-thrust.

Cornice ornament

The lid which completes this noble monument is in itself an admirable work of art. It is in the form of a sloping roof, and rests on a plinth forming- an architrave made of a thin layer of pearl under a row of rais’de-cceur. and with a cornice ornamented with a moulding of vine leaves; denticles under a thin lintel and a row of ovulae complete the ornamentation of the plinth. Along the eaves on each side is a row of twelve three-horned he-goats’ heads ; and above these and alternating with them are nine heads of women ornamented with palm leaves. At each of the four corners of the lid is a lion couchant with open mouth and fierce eyes. The two sides of the roof are imbricated; the top is ornamented with a row of six two-faced female heads arranged alternately with pairs of eagles, placed back to back; of the latter nothing now remains but the claws, the eagles having, in all probability, been broken off in recent times.

At the top of each of the two pediments are a pair of sphinxes facing each other, and above them an open palm leaf. The carving on each of the two frontages is of most exquisite workmanship.