Treasures of Thrace

Thrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe, centered on the borders of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. In antiquity it was also referred to as Europe, prior to the term describing the whole continent. Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east. It comprises southeastern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece, and part of Turkey. The biggest part of Thrace is part of present day Bulgaria. Thracians were divided into many tribal groups. The region was controlled by the Persian Empire at its greatest extent, and Thracian soldiers were known to be used in the Persian armies.

Thracians were known to accompany Alexander the Great when he crossed the Hellespont.

Some Thracian treasures were part of a major exhibition at the Louvre Museum in Paris in 2015. The exhibition brought together more than 1,600 objects from 17 Bulgarian and international museums including the Louvre and the Prado Museum, giving visitors an opportunity to see in one place some of the most significant Thracian artifacts that have ever been discovered.

One of the exhibition highlights is the bronze head of Seuthes III. Hilt with gold inlay of Seuthes III's sword. ca. 331 BC.

The Panagyuriste gold treasure was excavated in 1949 and consists of gold drinking vessels that are elaborately decorated. The metalwork showcases the artistic skills of the Thracians.

Rare gold hemidrachm from Thasos, Thracian islands.

Gold and silver greave (knee-piece)