Τρίτη 6 Νοεμβρίου 2012

Gold ring engraved with a woman at an altar











Gold ring engraved with a woman at an altar
Greek, around 350 BC
Said to be from Phokaia, modern Turkey


Offering to Zeus or Apollo?
In the fourth century BC, the Greek cities of Asia Minor began to enjoy a new sense of independence. The quantity of gold jewellery known from the region increases during this period, perhaps as the result of an influx of new craftsmen at a time of prosperity.
This gold ring was said to have come from a tomb in Phokaia, on the coast of modern Turkey. The ring has a slightly bevelled hoop, which is hammered from the same piece of gold as the bezel. The bezel is engraved with the figure of an elegantly draped woman standing in front of an altar. She wears a chiton and himation, sandals and a simple drop earring. Her hair is tied up at the back. In one hand, fingers downwards, she holds out a small seed or piece of incense, which she is presumably about to place on top of the altar before her. The altar is seen in three-quarter view from a low angle, and has hooks on the corners. On top of it sits an eagle, which may indicate that the offering is being made to Zeus or Apollo.

D. Williams and J. Ogden, Greek gold: jewellery of the c(London, The British Museum Press, 1994)


 


Phocaea, or Phokaia (Greek: Φώκαια) (modern-day Foça in Turkey) was an ancient Ionian Greek city on the western coast of Anatolia. Greek colonists from Phocaea founded the colony of Massalia[1] (modern day Marseille, in France) in 600 BC, Emporion (modern day Empúries, in Catalonia, Spain) in 575 BC and Elea (modern day Velia, in Campania, Italy) in 540 BC.



Phokaia ancient city to rise in Foça
IZMIR - Doğan News Agency
The restoration of the ancient city of Phokaia's bulwarks, which started in 2009, is continuing in the Foça district of the western province of İzmir."We have found remnants from different ages and different civilizations such as the Roman, Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman Empires," said Ege University Professor of Architecture Ömer Özyiğit, who is heading the restoration project. "At the end of this restoration project, the antique city of Phokaia will rise again in Foça, faithful to its history," he added.   October/31/2012