Borovo Treasure
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| Borovo Treasure | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Material | silver |
| Created | 383 BC – 359 BC |
| Discovered | 1974 at Borovo |
| Present location | Rousse Regional Historical Museum |
The Borovo Treasure, also known as the Borovo Silver Treasure, is a Thracian[1][2] hoard of five matching silver-gilt items discovered in late 1974 while ploughing a field in Borovo, Bulgaria.[3][4]
The treasure consists of a table set of five silver-gilt items:[1][2]
- Three rhyta, each a different size, and with a different base. The largest has a figure of a sphinx and bears the inscription: "[Belongs to] Cotys from [the town of] Beos.", as well as the name of the craftsman, Etbeos.[5] The second has a figure of a horse, and the third, the smallest, has a bull. Each are half figures.
- A large, two-handled bowl: This item is decorated with a relief of a deer being attacked by a griffin.[6]
- A rhyta jug with images gods at a feast, scenes showing the mythological cycles, with images of Dionysus and Heracles, satyrs, griffons, and sphinxes.[4]
Discovery
The discovery was made while ploughing a field approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the village of Borovo, Ruse, in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, the plow severely damaged objects, but after extensive restoration work, the damage is nearly invisible.[1][2][6]
It is unknown why the treasure was buried at that particular site since no tumulus was found at the location.[6]
Origins
The inscription on the sphinx rhyta indicates that the treasure may have been a gift to a local Getic ruler from the king Cotys I (382-359 BC),[4] who reigned in the Odrysian Kingdom from 383 to 359 BC.[6] It is for this reason that the treasure is considered to be from the early to mid fourth century BC.[1][2][4][6]
