The Romans reached the Balkan Peninsula after they defeated the ancient Macedonian kingdom in the 2nd century BC. The first Roman colonies in the Balkans were also created then. And after the victories in Asia Minor in 133 BC, the Aegean region became the principal communication for the conquests in eastern direction. The last two centuries BC were marked by numerous clashes between the mainland Thracian tribes and the Roman governors of the Macedonia province, who were charged with the protection of the important artery.

Continue reading The Roman Legions are Coming

The Thracians were the indigenous population predominantly of the mainland of the Balkan Peninsula, whereas the seafaring Greeks with their fast ships had the opportunity to colonise the Black Sea coast. In the 8th - 6th century BC, they settled in the peninsulas of present-day Bulgarian Black Sea coast, which were convenient both for habitation and for defence purpses.

Dozens of sea expeditions were sent by the cities in mainland Greece to the coasts of Asia Minor and the Aegean islands. Athens, Megara, Byzantion and some other cities were particularly active. This is how many fortified cities appeared: Dionyssopolis ( Balchik ), Odessos ( Varna ), Mesambria ( Nessebur ) and Apollonia ( Sozopol ). The colonie usually maintained contacts with the metropolises, importing various works of art, artisan production and beautifully painted ceramics. Incredible monuments have been discovered during excavations of city necropolises. For example, hundreds of whole red-figured ceramic vessels, decorated with mythological scenes and images of deities, were found in the principal necropolis of Apollonia.
Continue reading A Connection between Thracians and Greeks

Thracian treasures have long evoked the admiration of the entire world, and they have been displayed in a number of exhibitions all over the world. Some of them are extremely important and they provide unique information about ancient art. Earlier we mentioned the Vulchitrun gold treasure, which is the oldest, being dated to the 15th - 14th century BC. All over Thracian treasures are from a much later period, 4th and early 3rd century BC.The Panagyurishte treasure is undoubtedly the most popular gold treasure discovered so far. It is of pure gold with a total weight of 6.164 kg, and it consists of a royal set to be used during feasts. Its nine vessels are with original shape and ornamentation. They are rhytons resembling animal figures and heads of goddesses. The jugs, the amphorae and the phialae are decorated with the sculpted scenes from The Iliad, African faces and other images.
Continue reading The Gold of the Ancient Thracians

The territory of another Thracian people , the Getae, spread in the northeastern part of the present-day Bulgarian state. The remains of their capital, Helis, were discovered in the remarkable natural environment near the villages of Sveshtari and Sboryanovo. In immediate proximity there are more than 100 tumuli making up the royal necropolis of the ruler of Getae.
Continue reading The Sacred Tombs of the Rulers of the Getae

There are thousands of Thracian tumuli in the Bulgarian lands. However, the area around Kazanluk features very prominently among them, having deserved the name “The Valley of the Kings”. The tombs there are dated to the 5th - 4th century BC, and - similar to the Starosel - they demonstrate the flourishing of the Odrysian state.
Continue reading The Valley of the Kings near Kazanlak

The Thracian states emerged early, but they can be traced only after 5th - 4th century BC. The structures created before the names of the royal-priestly ruling dynasties: Bessi, Triballoi, Getae and Edonoi. According to Herodotus, the Thracians were the most numerous people in the world after the Indians, but they never managed to unite in one state. During the 5th - 4th century BC, the kingdom of the Odrysae stretching in the lands between the Black Sea, the Danube and the Rhodope Mountains became most powerful. The ruins of its capital Seuthopolis are near the present-day town of Kazanluk.

The most famous kings of the Odrysae were Teres (490-464 BC) and Sitalkes (464-424 BC), who were among the prominent historical figures of their time. The important archaelogical discoveries made near the village of Starosel, Kazanluk area, are associated precisely with them. A peculiar temple-tomb was found there in an enormous mound, possibly intended for King Sitalkes.
Continue reading The Temple Buried near the Village of Starosel