#thrace

Thracian Merman (Shark-man?)

The Ancient Greeks named their South Eastern European neighbors the Thracians. The soldiers of Thrace were particularly sought after as mercenaries, and eventually became a permanent Roman client-state. This illustration is based on depictions of Thracian peltast (light infantry man, named after their shield design), in the 5th to 4th century BC, and pottery finds depicting Thracian tattoos.

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These mermaids all made it into a mermaid colouring book!

There are also PDF copies available!

The return of a young Greek soldier who hugs his parents, in the village Mákri of Thrace. 1922. Rol Agency. (colorized by Giorgos Mpairamis - memories of the past in color)

Thracians: We shoot arrows at the sky when it rains and threaten our god.

Greeks:

Frederick Arthur Bridgman (American, 1847-1928)

Bronze Hand of Sabazios

Roman, 2nd-3rd century A.D.

Heavy bronze hand with a serpent and a ball, which was used in the Sabazios cult. The serpent with a finely engraved skin winds around the wrist and rests its head on the thumb. It is closely associated with Sabazios, who is considered as the representative of the circle of nature, which every year blossoms and withered and re-blossoms. The serpent is the symbol for the constant renewal of life and nature. The finger position with the bent small, and ring finger, as well as the stretched out middle, and index finger, as well as thumb correspond to the “Benedictio Latina”, the blessing gesture, which is typical for Sabazios hands. It holds the globe, representing the cosmic omnipotence, which was associated with Sabazios. The gesture's role within the cult was blessing, healing, providing divine help and protection.