Australian Museum Opens ALEXANDER THE GREAT: 2000 YEARS OF TREASURES Today

Exclusive to the Australian Museum in Sydney, Alexander the Great: 2000 years of treasures, the most exciting and prestigious classical culture exhibition ever to be hosted by the Australian Museum in Sydney, opens today, 24 November 2012.

The largest collection of treasures ever to come to Australia from the world famous State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia includes over 400 objects from classical antiquity through to the modern age from both Western and non-Western origins, spanning a period of almost 2500 years.

Catherine the Great, 18thC Empress of Russia and founder of the State Hermitage was fascinated by Alexander and like many other European rulers of the time, wore images of him. This fascination led to a collection at the State Hermitage that is unsurpassed in terms of its breadth and the significance of its treasures.

“The legend of Alexander the Great, one of history’s greatest iconic figures, comes to Sydney. At 20 years of age Alexander the Great commanded large armies and in just 11 years had conquered vast lands. No wonder popular culture continues to revere this single-minded personality with one of the greatest military minds,” says Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum. "This exhibition took over three years of planning and is showcasing world significant collection pieces that rarely travel within Russia let alone to Australia."

Register to keep up to date with news of the exhibition at www.alexandersydney.com.au. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 136 100.