Ancient Thrace and the Classical World: Treasures from Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece

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

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 spectacular Thracian burial mounds, 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).. At various times adversaries and allies of the Greeks, the Thracians were greatly influenced by Greek art but created their own distinctive style.

This project is part of the exhibition series Classical World in Context. 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.

This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exhibición se presenta en inglés y en español.