This gold medallion was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Caracalla (who reigned from 211-217 AD) to honor the family of Alexander. The woman shown in profile has been identified as Alexander's mother, Olympias.

One of Philip's many wives, Olympias was famous for her beauty and her domineering nature. She openly declared that Alexander was not Philip's child but the son of a god, Ammon-Zeus. When Philip was struck down by an assassin, she was suspected of complicity. Though her relationship with Alexander was stormy, she helped him to assume control of the kingdom, and she survived to take part in the struggle for power which followed his death.

Reproduced by courtesy of The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore