Zeus Ammon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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This is a larger-than-life marble head depicting Zeus Ammon; it's originally Roman from the Imperial age, 120-160 A.D., said to have been discovered at the mouth of the Nile River. Zeus Ammon's sanctuary at the Oasis of Siwa in Libya was already famous when Alexander the Great made his pilgrimage there in 331 B.C. Alexander's visit to Siwa was a pivotal moment in the young king's life, marking an extraordinary turning point. Details surrounding this event are shrouded in mystery, but legend has it that the oracle proclaimed him son of Zeus Ammon and answered Alexander's questions favorably, exactly as he had hoped. This powerful portrait of the god combines a classical Greek image of the bearded Zeus with the ram's horns of the Egyptian Ammon, an attribute often associated with Alexander himself. It may reflect a sculpture created in Egypt following Alexander's historic visit to Siwa. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.