Such a privilege to have seen the bronze portrait head of the Thracian king Seuthes III, discovered in 2004 in the Golyama Kosmatka tumulus in Bulgaria. It was ripped from the body of a statue, no trace of which was found in the tumulus. #archaeology. 1/ ca. 310-300 BCE 📸 me

Jan 6, 2025 · 11:32 PM UTC

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Opulent grave goods and armor were found in the burial chamber, including those below. The helmet has an appliqué of the goddess Athena above the name of Seuthes III. The bronze greaves each have a portrait of Athena wearing a crested Attic helmet. 2/ Late 4th c. BCE 📸 me
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The bronze portrait of Seuthes III, along with three rooms filled with Thracian treasures, can be seen at the #GettyVilla during the run of its exhibition 'Ancient Thrace and the Classical World', running now through early March. Highly recommended! 3/
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You can view high res versions of these photos and others from the exhibition in my Flickr album. 4/ flic.kr/s/aHBqjBSifK

Ancient Thrace

This album gathers photos of ancient Thracian antiquities, and antiquities from cultures that depict Thracians, their gods, myths, leaders, and people.

flickr.com
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Replying to @chapps
According to the catalogue of the Louvre exhibition "The Epic of the Thracian Kings" the statue was on the agora of Seuthopolis, then, at the death of the king, the portrait was torn off (as a kind of magical/religious ritual) and found outside the burial chamber, in the antichamber. I will find the article.
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That’s extremely speculative (and even imaginative), because we have *no* idea where the statue was placed, or exactly why the portrait head was torn off. The only part that’s sure is where it was placed, since that’s where it was found.
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Replying to @chapps
Just...wow!!!
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It’s astonishing - quite a lot of presence. I was going to return for another view this Thursday, but seeing as the grounds of the Villa are currently burning (and possibly the staff buildings), that’s probably not going to happen for a long time. ☹️
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Replying to @chapps @AlisonFisk
why was it ripped?
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There are some theories. Possibly a ritual ‘killing’ of the statue, the image of the king, and placing his portrait into a tomb (which didn’t have a body), burying it. Does this suggest assassination, or is it done for every ruler who died? 🤷‍♂️
Replying to @chapps
Brian Blessed?
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Yes!!
GIF
Replying to @chapps
Where is it located? I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before, though long ago
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It’s normally in Bulgaria, as one of their national treasures. I don’t know if it’s traveled much previously - if at all. Until March, it’s at the Getty Villa. But given the state of Pacific Palisades, I have to wonder if the museum will reopen any time soon.
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Replying to @chapps
300 bc ???
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310-300 BCE, correct.
Replying to @chapps
La cabeza es magnífica y sus rasgos muy bellos. No sé si en realidad el rey Seutes III era tan potente.
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He stood between the Macedonians, under Alexander the Great, and the other Thracian kingdoms, performing an impressive balancing act. There’s a lot we don’t know about his reign, but he was clearly powerful enough to receive incredible grave goods.
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Replying to @chapps
Wonderful, thanks for sharing 😉
Replying to @chapps
Love it!
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Replying to @chapps
Ἐπιζωγράφιση #Σεύθη_III, Θρᾶκα βασιλιᾶ των Ὀδρυσῶν ὀ ὁποῖος μᾶλλον ἦταν παράλληλα καί ἱερέας τῶν Καβείρων. Ἡ δέ Σευθόπολις ἦταν ἀρχαία πόλη τῆς Θράκης. Ἱδρύθηκε μεταξὺ τῶν ἐτῶν 325-315 π.Χ. ἀπὸ τὸν Θρᾶκα ἡγεμόνα Σεύθη ΙΙΙ. el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A3…
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Replying to @chapps
I saw this yesterday, the eyes are truly remarkable
Replying to @chapps
the eyes are incredible didn't realize the skill in bronze work was that excellent so long ago
Replying to @chapps @AlisonFisk
What’s going on with the King’s eyes?
Replying to @chapps @AlisonFisk
He had that weird eye that people made jokes about behind his back
Replying to @chapps
The portrait resembles American actor Tom Selleck.
Replying to @chapps
That is stunning.
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Replying to @chapps @DrNWillburger
Wow!!!
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