Thracian Gold

[susan]

I recently bought the catalogue from a 1976 exhibition of Thracian gold & treasures, from Bulgaria.
Philip conquered Thrace and married Meda, the daughter of the Thracian king Cothelas, who gave him many rich gifts; he also founded Philippopolis; and Alexander fought through the lands of the Triballi early in his reign.There are many splendid treasures from Philip & Alexander's time; including a drinking vessel from a rich hoard at Panagyurishte, near Philippolis, which clearly has the name Alexandros on it. I wondered if it came from the court of Lysimachos? There is also treasure that may have been buried with a prince of the Triballi when Alexander was crossing their land. There are several inscriptions, all using Greek letters to write the Thracian words.Susan

[ruthaki]

Thanks for the info Susan. When I visited the tombs last summer, I believe the archaeologists have named "Meda" as the woman buried in the alleged Philip's tomb, identified by the artwork on the bed. Interesting.

[agesilaos]

It is amazing how stubbornly the Greeks are going to cling to the notion that it is Philip II in there and not his son Philip III, seems nobody has ever wanted the poor bugger!

[yiannis]

Not really Karl. Most archaeologists are now sceptic about it. And it was a greek archaeologist that gave the strongest evidence that it may not be Alexander's father the man who's burried in the tomb.
But you're right that the official point of view is still unchanged.

[susan]

Some of the Thracian gold is similar to but much more splendid than that in the Vergina tombs. There's a greave and a wreath from a tomb that contains a bowl bearing the name Cotys (?? from Meda's family??) that remind me of the Vergina finds. In later tombs, tetradrachms of Alexander were buried alongside the inhabitants. I'll try to post links to them later.Susan