An exhibition covering the epic conquests of Alexander the Great is about to go on show in Sydney.
Until now, the collection of artifacts and antiques spawning from Alexander's quest from Europe to Asia was only housed at the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and other European affiliates.
The museum's head of classical antiquities, Dr Anna Trofimova, says Australia was a perfect choice to host 'Alexander The Great: 2000 Years of Treasures' because of its multicultural landscape.
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"The main result of the tour of Alexander the Great was the creation of cosmopolitan culture," she said. "His dream was unity of mankind. That's something very important for our days as well."
The Australian Museum's Director Frank Howarth said it was a massive coup to secure the exhibit, which covers the legacy of such a mercurial figure.
"He was a brilliant strategist, so he was intellectually very bright," he said. "But he was a brawler, he was a drunk, he was a fighter, he could be quite compassionate if he felt people were working with him, but he could be widely considered as cruel and despotic as well."
'Alexander The Great: 2000 Years of Treasures' exhibition will run until mid-April 2013.
Watch an extended interview with Russian curator Dr Anna Trofimova:
Watch an extended interview with Australian Museum Director Frank Howarth:
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