Alexander the Great treasures coming Down Under

HUNDREDS of ancient treasures dating back to the time of Alexander the Great will be brought to Australia for an exhibition this year.

Alexander the Great exhibition tapestry

HUNDREDS of ancient treasures dating back to the time of Alexander the Great will be brought to Australia for the first time this year.

In a coup for the Australian Museum, the largest exhibition ever to come from the State Hermitage in Russia will go on display in Sydney on November 24.

"Alexander the Great: 2000 years of treasures" includes more than 400 objects, including helmets, statues, tapestries and art.

Among the loot is the polished black basalt statue of Cleopatra VII, the famous Gonzaga cameo and a figure of Heracles fighting the lion from the 2nd century AD.

Alexander the Great was considered one of the world's great conqerors.

He created the largest empire in history - from Greece in the west to the river Indus in the east.

Australian historian Professor Ken Sheedy said the exhibition will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many Australians.

"The Alexander exhibition brings to Sydney some of the finest known treasures from the court and cities of Alexander the Great and his Successors,'' he said.

"Alexander's remarkable empire, stretching from the Mediterranean across to India, was carved out in battles and campaigns waged over a few short years.

"It barely outlasted his death at the age of 32, but its legacy is still with us today."

Australian Museum director Frank Howarth said the artefacts will come in three shipments, each taking more than three days to reach Sydney by air, with much of the road route overseen by police escort.

They will be accompanied by 29 curators and conservators.

The date tickets will go on sale has not yet been announced, but people can pre-register for exhibition information at www.alexandersydney.com.au