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Alexander the Great.
Coptic, Byzantine or Syrian Cavalrymen on a Coptic or Syrian Textile, 7th century.


Image source: docplayer (p.23, note the stirrups)

tunic decoration showing Alexander
GeographySyria
CultureGreco-Roman
Date7th century
StyleLate Antique
Materialswool; linen
ClassificationTextile
Dimensions33.50 L x 32.50 W cm (13 3/16 L x 12 25/32 W in)
Structuretapestry weave, slit; eccentric weft; weft-wrapping; soumak
CollectionThe Textile Museum Collection
Accession Number11.18
Credit LineAcquired by George Hewitt Myers in 1948
Textile Museum, Washington



Referenced as Plate XCVI. Vol 2, after p.272, The military technology of classical Islam by David Nicolle
Embroidery, 7th century, Coptic (Textile Museum, Washington)
Also referenced as Fig. 137. Wool and linen embroidery, 7th century AD, Coptic, Textile Museum, Washington (Akad).
Vol. 2. p.287: Meanwhile, Coptic visual sources show the troops of Egypt to be basically Byzantine in their equipment, though with minor local variations. The Iranian sword-belt does not, for example, appear. On the other hand the originally Iranian scabbard-slide, long hilt and fundamentally Central Asian angled pommel do. One possible local variation may be the wearing of the scabbard across the back (Fig. 14). This seems to reappear in 9th and 10th century Coptic manuscripts (Figs. 143 and 145). As elsewhere in the Middle East, the long, round-ended sword-blade grew in popularity towards the end of the pre-Islamic period (Figs. 18, 137 and 141) and, given the uncertain dating of much Coptic art, may in fact have resulted from the Muslim conquest. Such uncertain dating is a particular problem in Egypt.



A similar composition on a Coptic-Byzantine Ivory Relief, Egypt, 7th century. The Walters Art Museum, 71.1144
A similar roundel at the Cleveland Museum of Art
See also a Coptic, Byzantine, Syrian or Arab Horse Archer on a Coptic Textile, Egypt, 7th century, Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Washington
Coptic Textile Roundel with Mounted Warriors and a Lion, 6-7th century AD
Other Illustrations of Costume and Soldiers from Coptic and Nubian sources