Alexander committing to Safety the writings of Homer

Alexander the Great stands in classical armor on the right, gesturing toward an ornate stone chest. To the left, several figures lean over the chest, carefully depositing books or scrolls inside. This red chalk study emphasizes the reverence for ancient knowledge and the ruler's role in protecting cultural heritage.

Created as a study for the Stanza della Segnatura, this scene illustrates the Renaissance humanist ideal of 'prisca sapientia'—the belief that ancient texts contained veiled philosophical and natural truths. It depicts the historical moment where Greek epic poetry is preserved as a sacred foundation for Western wisdom.