Trident and Tales

Cycladic marble statue of a harp player

2800 - 2700 BCE

Roman gem depicting a handshake (dextrarum iunctio - a symbol of unity (e.g. in a political or wedding context)). In the background, a herald’s staff, a poppy flower on a long stem, and an ear of corn on either side

1st century CE

Greek gold coin from Taranto

Obverse: the head of a woman (often interpreted as Hera) with a small dolphin and the inscription TARA (Taranto)

Reverse: Poseidon with his trident looking down at a child, inscription: ΤΑΡΑNTINΩN

During the second half of the fourth century BCE, Taranto faced a lot of conflicts with its surrounding neighbors. Therefore, the Reverse could be seen as a cry for help from Taranto, embodied by the Tarentine boy, to its mother city, Sparta, symbolised by Poseidon.

ca. 320 BCE

Egyptian claw anklet of Sithathoryunet (daughter of a pharaoh (probably Senusret II))

Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, ca. 1887 - 1813 BCE

Roman box bezel ring depicting the Greek hero Bellerophon, riding on his winged horse Pegasos, and slaying the Chimaera

340 - 320 BCE

Etruscan kylix with two naked youths facing each other in front of a tree. The one on the left holds a wreath in his right hand and grasps the trunk of the tree in his left. The one on the right holds a wreath up in his right hand and a club in his left

400 - 300 BCE

Two small reliefs with a goat and a dromedary

2nd century BCE - 2nd century CE

Mycenaean bell krater with a bird (cattle egret) removing a tick from a bull's hide

1300 - 1200 BCE

Greek mirror depiction Ganymede's abduction by Zeus

4th century BCE

Greek bowl with a medallion depicting Dionysos and Ariadne on the left, and Silenos on the right

ca. 100 BCE