Ancient Thrace and the Classical World: Treasures from Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece
Portrait of King Seuthes III (detail), 310–300 BCE. Bronze with copper, alabaster, and glass for the eyes. Found in the Golyama Kosmatka burial mound, near Shipka, Bulgaria. National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia
Photo: Todor Dimitrov
The ancient land of Thrace, (comprising present-day Bulgaria and parts of Romania, Greece, and Turkey), was home to a tribal culture renowned for their skill as warriors and horsemen, as well as for their wealth in precious metals. Thracians produced superb gold, silver, and bronze works used in aristocratic pursuits, such as warfare, horsemanship, and banqueting. This exhibition features many objects that were discovered in Thracian lands during modern times, shedding light on this little-known culture and its interactions with Greece, Persia, and Rome over the course of two millennia (about 1700 BCE–300 CE).
This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exhibición se presenta en inglés y en español.
Partners and Sponsors
This exhibition is part of the Getty Museum’s program The Classical World in Context, devoted to the diverse cultures that interacted with ancient Greece and Rome.
Organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Republic of Bulgaria, and the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS).
With generous loans from the National History Museum of Romania, Bucharest, and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
Selected Works
Jug with a Goddess on a Panther
400–300 BCE. Silver with gilding. Found in Rogozen, Bulgaria. Regional Historical Museum, Vratsa. Photo: Todor Dimitrov
Greave (Knee and Shin Guard) with a Female Head
400–300 BCE. Silver with gilding. Found in Vratsa, Bulgaria. Regional Historical Museum, Vratsa. Photo: Todor Dimitrov
Portrait of King Seuthes III
310–300 BCE. Bronze with copper, alabaster, and glass for the eyes. Found in the Golyama Kosmatka burial mound, near Shipka, Bulgaria. National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia. Photo: Todor Dimitrov
Horse-Harness Ornament with a Female Bust, Possibly a Thracian Mother Goddess
200–100 BCE. Silver with gilding. Found in Galiche, Bulgaria. National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia. Photo: Todor Dimitrov
Spouted Jug with the Head of Athena
325–275 BCE. Gold. Found in Panagyurishte, Bulgaria. Regional Archaeological Museum, Plovdiv. Photo: Todor Dimitrov
Jug with Thracian Warriors
Made in Athens, Greece, about 425 BCE. Terracotta. Found in the Gyaurskata burial mound near Karnobat, Bulgaria. Historical Museum, Karnobat
Helmet
400–300 BCE. Silver with gilding. Found in Agighiol, Romania. National History Museum of Romania, Bucharest. Image © MNIR 2023. Photo: Marius Amarie
Relief with Two Thracians
Made in Achaemenid Iran, 500–480 BCE. Limestone. Found at Persepolis, Iran. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Vorderasiatisches Museum. Image: bpk Bildagentur / Photo: Olaf M. Teßmer / Art Resource, NY
Publications
Ancient Thrace and the Classical World
Exhibition Resources
Need help?
Contact us! 9 am–5 pm, 7 days a week
(310) 440-7300