Philoxenos of Eretria facts for kids

Philoxenus of Eretria was a very skilled painter from Eretria, an ancient city in Greece. He learned his art from a famous painter named Nicomachus of Thebes. Philoxenus was known for painting very quickly and finding new, faster ways to create his artworks.

A Talented and Speedy Artist

Philoxenus learned a lot from his teacher, Nicomachus. One of the things he copied was Nicomachus's speed in painting. But Philoxenus didn't just copy; he also came up with his own clever and quick methods for painting. This made him a very efficient and productive artist.

His Most Famous Work

The Roman writer Pliny once said that a painting by Philoxenus was the best painting ever made. This amazing artwork showed a famous battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III, the king of Persia. Philoxenus painted this masterpiece for King Cassander, who ruled part of Alexander's empire after his death.

This battle scene was so famous that it was copied many times. One of the most well-known copies is the Alexander Mosaic. This incredible mosaic was found in the House of the Faun in Pompeii, an ancient Roman city. Many historians believe this mosaic shows exactly what Philoxenus's original painting looked like.

Images for kids

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  The Alexander Mosaic, which is believed to be a copy of the original by Philoxenus of Eretria

See also

In Spanish: Filoxeno de Eretria para niños