The Pylos Combat Agate

Archaeologists excavating an ancient grave at Pylos in southwestern Greece in 2016 found a seal stone, a gemstone engraved with a design that can be stamped on clay or wax. The seal stone’s image is a striking depiction of one warrior in battle with two others. It is carved in fine detail. The seal stone’s owner, known as the Griffin Warrior, was buried around 1450 B.C. He lived at a time when the Minoan civilization of Crete was being transferred to cities of the Greek mainland. The sealstone is one of the finest works of prehistoric Greek art ever discovered. The tomb also revealed more than 3,000 objects arrayed on and around the warrior’s body.

Grave goods included four solid gold rings, silver cups, precious stone beads, fine-toothed ivory combs and an intricate sword, among other weapons.

See ---->Grave of ‘Griffin Warrior’ at Pylos

Tyrian Purple

The ultimate status symbol in ancient Rome was a set of robes died Tyrian purple. This colour, named for Tyre, its place of origin, was made from the Hexaplex trunculus snail. It took 13,000 snails to produce just 28 ml of dye, enough for the trim on one garment. In Republican Rome only the wealthiest men, the elite equites, were allowed to wear it. In Imperial Rome it was restricted to just the Emperor, as a symbol of his power.

In 40 AD, the king of Mauretania was killed in Rome on orders of Caligula. Despite being a friend to the Romans he caused a grave offence when he strode into an amphitheatre to watch gladiatorial games wearing a purple robe. Archaeological data from Tyre indicate that the snails were collected in large vats and left to decompose. This produced a hideous stench. Little is known about the mass production of the most highly prized "blackish clotted blood" colour. It may have been achieved by double-dipping the cloth, once in the indigo dye of H. trunculus and again in the purple-red dye of B. brandaris.

Tyrian purple may first have been used by the ancient Phoenicians as early as 1570 BC. The dye was greatly prized in antiquity because the colour didn't easily fade, but instead became brighter with weathering and sunlight. Its importance was such that the name Phoenicia means 'land of purple.' It came in various shades, the most prized being that of "blackish clotted blood". True Tyrian purple, like most high-chroma pigments, cannot be accurately displayed on a computer display.

A Tunisian man has pieced together a secret linked to ancient emperors: how to make a prized purple dye using the guts of a sea snail. No historical documents clearly detail the production methods used. Production of the dye was among the main sources of wealth for the ancient Phoenicians, and then for the Carthaginian and Roman empires. Whole economies depended upon it's production. Even today the dye can cost $2,800 per gram from some European traders, and prices can reach up to $4,000. To obtain one gram of pure purple dye, 100 kg of the ill smelling murex need to be shelled.

Largest gold coin of the ancient world - Eucratides I

The largest gold coin of the ancient world is the 20 stater minted by the Greco-Bactrian King Eucratides I (172–145 BC). Weighing 169.2 grams (nearly 5.5 troy ounces) of high-purity gold it is considered a masterpiece of Hellenistic numismatic art. The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was an independent Hellenistic state (circa 256–120 BCE) that ruled supreme for over a century. It was centered largely in modern day Afghanistan/Uzbekistan. Eucratides I was the last great Greco-Bactrian ruler.

Reverse depicts the Dioscuri (twins Castor and Pollux) on horseback, wielding spears and holding palm branches, surrounded by the Greek legend "ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ" (King Eucratides the Great) The large, valuable coin was likely not for circulation, and was probably gifted to those close to the king. Only one authentic example is known to survive. It was discovered in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, in 1867, and was subsequently acquired by Emperor Napoleon III. Today, it is part of the permanent collection at the BnF Cabinet des Médailles in Paris.

Gold of the 12 Caesars

The 12 Caesars gold coins are a set of Roman coins featuring portraits of the first twelve Roman emperors. Known as the “Julio-Claudian and Flavian” emperors, they ruled the empire from 49 BCE to 96 CE. The most sought after and among the most valuable of the Twelve Gold Caesars is that of Julius Caesar. Owning an example, in any condition, is an accomplishment.

Aureus struck at a military mint, c.43 B.C. It bears the portraits of Julius Caesar and Octavian (Augustus). Extremely rare. At least $50k. Julius Caesar AV Aureus. Rome, 45 BC. Draped bust of Victory to right. 7.98g, NGC graded AU★ 5/5 - 5/5 among the finest known examples. 36,000 GBP in 2022.

Aureus of Augustus struck at Lugdunum, c.15–12 B.C. Gold Aureus of Augustus struck around 27 to 18 BC. There are 22 surviving examples of heifer reverse aureus, of which 15 are in museums. The coin made 480,000 Euros in 2019 making it one of the world’s most expensive Roman coins.

Tiberius (A.D. 14–37) struck at Lugdunum. Caligula (A.D. 37–41) Aureus struck at Rome, A.D. 37–38. Caligula's portrait appears with his deceased mother, Agrippina Senior.

Claudius (A.D. 41–54) Aureus struck at Rome, A.D. 46–47. Nero (A.D. 54–68) Aureus struck at Rome, A.D. 62–63.

Galba (A.D. 68–69) Aureus struck at Rome. Otho (A.D. 69) Aureus struck at Rome.

Vitellius (A.D. 69) Aureus struck at Rome. Vespasian (A.D. 69–79) Aureus struck at Rome.

Titus (A.D. 79–81) Aureus struck at Rome, A.D. 75. This coin was struck while Titus was Caesar under his father. Domitian (A.D. 81–96) Aureus struck at Rome, A.D. 76.

The 12 Caesars in silver denarii are much more attainable. Once obtained, collectors usually try to upgrade each coin to the best available. Imperial denarii will be the most expensive, provincial issues will cost less.

Meroë, Kush

Dozens of pyramids stand guard in the silent desert at Meroë, 150 miles north-east of Khartoum. 30m high, Sudan’s tombs were built for the elite of the kingdom of Kush which emerged as a power around the eighth century BC with its capital at Napata (Karima). Dominating the trade route between Egypt and central Africa, Kush grew in wealth and importance. In the early seventh century BC, Qore (King) Taharqa ruled Egypt as well as Nubia (northern Sudan). Later Assyrians drove the Kushites from Egypt, and around 592 BC an Egyptian-sponsored expedition sacked Napata. The capital then transferred south to Meroë where, from around the third century, some 30 kings and eight queens were interred.

Columns etched with carvings rise among the ruins of the vast complex at Musawwarat es Sufra, south of the necropolis. A gold bracelet was looted from the pyramid of Kandake (Queen) Amanishakheto.

The Kushites were expert metalworkers. Kush waned after the third century AD. It was dealt a terminal blow around AD 320–350 when forces of King Aeizanes of Axum (Ethiopia) attacked Meroë.

Amphipolis tomb interior unveiled

The Amphipolis Tomb lies within the Kasta Hill burial mound, 100 km east of Thessaloniki in Greece.

Greek officials have unveiled the interior of a massive ancient tomb possibly linked to Alexander the Great. The excavation centers around the Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis, the ruins of an ancient Macedonian city in northern Greece, about 60 miles northeast of Thessaloniki.

The Lysippus bust of Alexander the Great

Archaeologists have now fully revealed the tumulus enclosure, stretching 497 meters in circumference, while the monument itself covers more than 20 acres (22,000 square meters). Amphipolis is associated with major figures of the Kingdom of Macedon, such as the three generals of Alexander the Great, Nearchus, Hephaestion, and Laomedon. After Alexander’s death, the city’s garrison remained loyal to his mother Olympias and only agreed to surrender the city to Cassander, one of Alexander’s successors, on her orders. Cassander imprisoned Alexander’s wife Roxana and his son Alexander IV in Amphipolis after defeating Olympias in 316 BCE. Olympias was stoned to death in 316 BCE by the relatives of her victims after she surrendered to Cassander. Cassander imprisoned Alexander’s wife Roxana and his son, Alexander IV, in the citadel of Amphipolis. Fearing the legitimate heir would soon come of age, Cassander had them secretly poisoned around 310 BC.

The ancient city of Amphipolis was conquered by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, in 357 BC. The tomb was found to contain sculptures of caryatids, an ornate mosaic, and coins featuring Alexander the Great. Evidence suggests the tomb was a memorial dedicated to the friend of Alexander the Great, Hephaestion.

Hephaestion was a Macedonian nobleman that grew up with Alexander, studying with him under the tutelage of Aristotle. They became close friends, as well as comrades. Hephaestion became a member of Alexander’s personal bodyguard and went on to command the Companion cavalry. Hephaestion died suddenly in Ecbatana, Iran, in 324 BC. Alexander ordered a series of monuments to be built for Hephaestion across his empire

The remains of five were found in the burial chamber of the elaborate tomb. A woman over 60 years old, two men between the ages of 35 and 45, a newborn infant, and a set of cremated remains. Speculation is that the woman is Alexander the Great’s mother, Olympias, who died when she was about 60 years old.

According to legend Hephaestion was cremated.