The Stunning Ancient Greek Treasures of the Pontus Kingdom

The axenic golden king’s crown. Credit: Samsun Museum

Ancient Greek treasures, dated from the Kingdom of Pontus, a Hellenistic authorities located successful the northeastern portion of Anatolia, are displayed successful a caller depository successful the metropolis of Samsun, Turkey.

Among the antiquities is the Amisos Treasure. It consists of 64 pieces, was recovered during a operation excavation successful Samsun connected Nov. 28, 1995, and is considered the astir invaluable treasure belonging to the dynasty members of the Pontus Kingdom.

It is stated that the past of the golden artifacts dates backmost to the 1st period B.C. and could person belonged to the sixth Pontus king, Mithridates Philopator Philadelphus.

The contents were: “a axenic golden king’s crown, 15 golden buttons, 4 golden bracelets with quality and carnal figures connected it, 18 breached golden bracelets, a golden barette, 2 golden earrings, 10 large golden necklaces, a golden ringing with a gem, 24 necklaces, 424 beads, a solid bowl, 4 earthenware, 3 kerosene lamps and an earthenware plate.”

Gold artifact from the Pontus Kindom. Credit: Samsun Museum

Treasures from the Pontus Kingdom, Roman and Byzantine times

The museum besides exhibits coins from the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman and Republican periods, jewelry, arches, sculptures, tombs and warship models from the Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Hittite, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Another item of the caller depository is the Amisos Mosaic with a basal size of 56 quadrate meters. It is simply a singular past mosaic discovered successful the Turkish metropolis of Samsun, which was formerly known arsenic Amisos successful antiquity. The mosaic was unearthed during archaeological excavations successful the country and dates backmost to the Roman period, astir the 2nd oregon 3rd period CE.

Amisos Mosaic: Credit: Samsun Museum

The Amisos Mosaic is renowned for its intricate plan and elaborate craftsmanship. It depicts scenes from past Greek mythology, including images of gods, mythical creatures, and different figures. The mosaic is composed of colorful tesserae (small tiles) made of chromatic oregon glass, meticulously arranged to make vibrant and lifelike compositions.

The emergence and autumn of the Kingdom of Pontus

The Kingdom of Pontus on the confederate seashore of the Black Sea emerged successful the 4th period BC aft the illness of the Persian Empire and the conquests of Alexander the Great.

The portion was initially inhabited by assorted indigenous peoples but became heavy influenced by Greek civilization pursuing the accomplishment of Greek colonists and the constitution of Greek colonies on the Black Sea coast.

Pontus reached its highest nether the regularisation of Mithridates VI Eupator, besides known arsenic Mithridates the Great, who reigned from astir 120 BCE to 63 BCE.

Mithridates was a formidable ruler who expanded Pontus’ territory done subject conquests and alliances. He besides resisted Roman enlargement into Anatolia, starring to a bid of conflicts known arsenic the Mithridatic Wars betwixt Pontus and the Roman Republic.

Despite Mithridates’ efforts, Pontus yet fell to the Romans, with Mithridates being defeated by Roman wide Pompey the Great successful 63 BCE. The kingdom was past incorporated into the Roman Republic’s territories arsenic a lawsuit state.

The portion continued to beryllium important during the Roman and aboriginal Byzantine periods, but the Kingdom of Pontus arsenic an autarkic entity ceased to beryllium aft its conquest by Rome.