 | Ancient Metropolis overlooks the plains of the Torbalı district of the western province of İzmir, Turkey. Occupation at the site goes back to the Neolithic period. Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods are well represented at the site. The city’s nobles once watched events at the ancient city’s theater from a seat with griffins. |  A sculptor reproduced the seat with the griffin and the replica was installed in its original place in the theater. |
 Since antiquity, Griffins were known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions. In Greek and Roman texts, griffins were associated with gold. | The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Because the lion was considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. |  Greek Silver Griffin Stater from Teos, 510 BC |
