Gold and sapphire bead necklace, Greek, 3rd-2nd century BC
from The St. Louis Art Museum
A finger ring with rounded hoop, the convex bezel carved in the form of a pair of Eyes of Horus with finely-engraved detail, linear and chevron ornament on the shoulders.
New Kingdom, ca. 1550-1070 BC.
Sotheby's
Silver tetrobol (diameter=15 mm; weight=2.45 g) minted in the Kingdom of Macedon during the reign of Perdiccas II (r. 454-413 BCE). The obverse features a horseman who wears a petasos (the broad, flat hat characteristic of Macedon) and carries hunting spears; he is accompanied by a dog. This image reflects the keen interest in hunting among the Macedonian aristocracy. The reverse features the Nemean Lion, whom Heracles slew as the first of his Twelve Labors. The Argead dynasty of Macedonian kings, to which Perdiccas belonged, claimed descent from Heracles; when Alexander I, the father of Perdiccas, sought to compete in the Olympic Games, he used this purported descent to prove his "Greekness". Above the lion is a kerykeion, the staff borne by heralds (and by Hermes, patron deity of heralds); those holding the kerykeion were sacrosanct and could not be harmed without incurring the wrath of the gods.
Photo credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com
Alcamenes and his Circle
Karyatid. Kore "B", Erechtheion, Classical Period 420/415 BC, Marble from Penteli, 2316 cm
Acropolis Museum, Athens Inv. Ακρ. 15001
Many interpretations of the Korai have been put forward in modern times: Kekrops' daughters, Arrhephoroi or young women that participate in the Panathenaic procession. The most convincing however is, that they were part of an above-the-ground monument over the grave of the mythical Kekrops, the Kekropeion, which was located directly below. They were the libation bearers that honored the dead hero-king pouring offerings with the phialai that they held in their hands.
Five of the Karyatids, Korai A, B, D, E, and F are in Greece while the sixth, Kore C, is in the British Museum in London, after it was detached in 1804. In 1979 the Korai were removed from the monument so that they would be protected from air pollution and were transferred in the old Acropolis Museum. They were replaced in the Erechtheion by copies. (Acropolis Museum)
Grave stele of Parthenope the dog from
Mytilene island, in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
“His owner has buried the dog Parthenope that he played with, in gratitude for this happiness. Mutual love is rewarding, like the one for this dog. Having been a friend to my owner, I have deserved this grave.
Looking at this, find yourself a worthy friend who is both ready to love you while you are still alive and will also care for you when you die.”
Amazons
Sarcophagus with fighting Amazons, 330/310 BC, Greek, late Classical (found in 1557 in the ancient royal city of Soloi (Morphou), Cyprus), marble, 2648x910x1040 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Inv. ANSA I 169
Gilded and gold inlaid iron sword uncovered by archaeologists at the Filipovka Kurgans, Orenburg Oblast, Russia.
Sarmatian, 7th century BC
