Treasures of Ancient Thrace

Portrait of King Seuthes III, 310-300 BCE. National Archaeological Institute with Museum, Sofia, Bulgaria. Photo: Todor Dimitrov

Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb (1922) made the Egyptian boy king a global celebrity. Georgi Kitov's uncovering of Thracian King Seuthes III's tomb (2004) was in many ways a comparable achievement, save for the celebrity part. Seuthes III (reigned c. 330 to 300/295 BC) was an autocrat rich in gold treasures. His "tomb" (really a cenotaph, as the king's body was not interred) was a rare survival untouched by generations of ancient looters. Kitov's find includes a portrait of the deceased that is ever bit as iconic as Tut's. While Tut seems otherworldly in his coffin mask, the bronze head of Seuthes III is a fierce middle-aged man you wouldn't want to cross. Seuthes' cenotaph ranks with the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of our century. So why has almost nobody heard of it?

I guess it's because Seuthes was king of Thrace, neglected by an art history that foregrounds Egypt, Greece, Rome, and (sometimes) Persia. The core of ancient Thrace is modern Bulgaria, off the usual cultural tourism track.

A new exhibition at the Getty Villa promises to make both Seuthes III and Thrace better known to American audiences. "Ancient Thrace and the Classical World: Treasures from Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece" (through Mar. 3, 2025) orchestrates about 200 loans from the aforementioned nations and others. King Seuthes III's treasures fill a central gallery, but the show spans nearly two millennia of Thracian art and material culture. Many other recent discoveries are making their American debuts here. The exhibition demonstrates that the story of Thrace is still a work in progress.

Thracian inscription, 600-400 BCE. National Archaeological Institute with Museum, Sofia, Bulgaria

History is written by historians. Thrace apparently didn't have them. There are only a handful of surviving inscriptions in the Thracian language, and one of them is here. That left the story of Eastern Mediterranean antiquity to be told by the voluble Greeks, who considered the Thracians to be warlike barbarians known for horses and precious-metal bling. The most famous Thracian—by Hollywood standards anyway—was Spartacus, enslaved gladiator who revolted against the Romans.

Votive Relief of Moukianos, 150-200 CE. National Archaeological Institute with Museum, Sofia 

Thrace was an eclectic crossroads of visual culture, drawing on Greek, Persian, and Roman influences. The "Thracian Horseman" was a folk hero celebrating the region's horsemanship. In a Votive Relief of Moukianos the cult of the Horseman has merged with that of the Greek Apollo.

The famous bronze head of Seuthes III was probably commissioned from a Greek artist. The alabaster and glass eyes and unruly facial hair show the naturalism of the early Hellenistic period. Given the lack of Thracian history books, we don't know much about Seuthes III. His wife was named Berenike, and some of her possessions were found in the tomb as well. We don't know III's relation to I and II (not necessarily direct ancestors), or to an even more sketchy IV. 

Wine Cup, 350-250 BCE. Isra Historical Museum, Kazanlak. Photo: Todor Dimitrov 

Shell-shaped container, 350-250 BCE. Iskra Historical Museum, Kazanlak

The silver-gilt scallop shell was a deluxe version of actual shells used for holding toiletries or jewelry. It's thought to have belonged to Berenike.

Three-part vessel, 1500-1000 BCE. National Archeological Institute with Museum, Sofia

Nobody living understands how this three-part gold vessel was used, and nothing like it is known.    

Spouted Wine Vessel, 325-275 BCE. Regional Archaeological Museum, Plovdiv. Photo: Todor Dimitrov

Another gallery shows the Panagyurishte Treasure, discovered by three brothers in the Bulgarian town of that name in 1949. Its nine 24-carat gold vessels together weigh over 13 pounds. The form of the Spouted Wine Vessel is Persian, but the centaurs and infant Herakles are Greek intellectual property.

Offering Dish, 325-275 BCE. Regional Archaeological Museum, Plovdiv.

The treasure's Offering Dish has almost psychedelic ornament of African male heads, acorns, and space-filling arabesques.

Relief with Two Thracians, 500-480 BCE. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Vorderasiatisches Museum. Photo: Olaf M. Teßmer/Art Resource, NY

The Berlin relief is a Persian view of Thracians paying tribute to the Achaemenid king. Thracians were known for having red hair and wearing pointed caps made of fox skin.