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Ancient Greek Thracian Mystery Plaque


A N C I E N T   G R E C O - R O M A N


Ca.1st -3rd Century.

Ptolemaic Egypt.

Thracian Mystery Plaque represents a pair of Thracian riders, flying the Dacian Draco, heraldically facing the Great Mother -Bendis within a double arched portico and three horizontal registers .

The plaque depict two Thracian horse and riders at either side of a goddess whose principal symbolic attribute is a fish.

Besides the two horsemen and the goddess with a fish, the iconography includes prostrated characters, attendants, and various symbols, such as the sun, the moon, stars, and numerous animals (including the ram, dog, lion, eagle, peacock, raven, cock, snake.

Scholarly identifications of the goddess are widely divergent. The two horsemen have been identified with the Dioscuri by some scholars and with the Cabiri brothers by others. The Greek iconography of the Dioscuri has had a particular impact on that of the Dacian Riders, but all these scholarly hypotheses are more or less fanciful.I t is likely that certain beliefs and practices, borrowed especially from Mithraism, were added to a local Dacian cult and that these borrowings changed the cult into a mystery religion. Although the myth of the Danubian Riders remains unknown, it is safe to state that it was based on some Dacian beliefs not shared by the Thracians south of the Danube.

The two horsemen and the goddess were probably supposed to establish a link between three cosmic layers (heaven, earth, and underworld), as the partition of the reliefs into three registers seems to suggest. Only three degrees of initiation were present in the mysteries of the Dacian Riders: Aries ("ram"), Miles ("soldier"), and Leo ("lion"). The first two were placed under the influence of the planet Mars, the last one under the influence of the sun. If we interpret the numerous animals depicted in the reliefs of the Danubian Riders as astrological entities, then we may surmise that the symbolism of this mystery religion was fairly complicated.

Inscriptions are unusually scarce in number, short (especially those on gems), and indecipherable. Initiates in the mysteries identified their grade by badges and seals; for example, a gem of unknown provenance bears as its inscription the single word leon. In all probability, sacrifice of a ram played an important part in these mysteries.Rare Unusual Piece.

Material: Lead with attractive warm patina--quite heavy-about 5oz.

Intact as Pictured--no repairs.

Height 4 in. (10cm), Width 3-1/4 in. (8.5cm).

Comes with Custom display Mount--mounted height 6in. (15.5 cm).



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Comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. GUARANTEED TO BE AUTHENTIC.

OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Lifetime Guarantee--Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping.

Additionally, If any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions.


International Payments accepted include Moneybookers.




Images are not actual size

Please see description for actual measurements.


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