Thracian exhibit at archaeological museum in Sofia
The archaeological museum in Bulgarian capital city Sofia is exhibiting several pieces of weaponry and armour attributed to Thracian king Seuthes III, discovered by archaeologist Georgi Kitov near Kazanluk in 2004.
The hilt of the sword has been on display before, but this is the first time it is exhibited since it was restored to its original form following a donation from UniCredit Bulbank. The exhibit includes also bronze kneepads and a helmet with an inscription of the Thracian ruler’s name.
The exhibition at the archaeological museum runs until May 8, when the items will be transferred to the permanent collection of the Kazanluk history museum.
Seuthes III is one of the better-known Thracian rulers and was a contemporary of Alexander the Great in the fourth century BCE. He had repeatedly revolted against Alexander and then Lysimachus, one of Alexander’s successor kings.
Seuthes, known in Bulgarian as Севт (Sevt) is also known for building his capital at Seuthopolis, near modern-day Kazanluk. The remains of the city were found in 1948 during excavation work to build the Koprinka reservoir – despite the find, Bulgaria’s communist authorities of the time decided to flood the dam and the city’s remains are now at the bottom of the reservoir.
(Photo of Seuthes III’s sword hilt via infotourism.net)