Red-figure lebes gamikos Circa 410 B.C. Full size image
		Decorative plaque The Judgement of Paris Late 5th century B.C. Full size image

previous room

next room

The coast of the Black Sea with its convenient harbours and great natural resources attracted the attention of intrepid Greek sailors. The first attempts by the Hellenes to gain a foothold in this remote region are reflected in the Greek myths of the Argonauts’ voyage to Colchis and the wanderings of Odysseus in the land of the Cimmerians: "We got into the deep waters of the river Oceanus/ Where lie the land and city of the Cimmerians who live enshrouded/ In mist and darkness which the rays of the sun never pierce".
Displayed in the northern part of the room in cases with mirrored back walls are painted vases and clay lamps, while the free-standing cases contain artefacts made of glass, bone and leather, women’s jewellery and things that are just fascinating (playing cards, mirror-amulets). Three obelisk-shaped display cases with bases in the form of gilded griffons contain silver and gold utensils from the Kul-Oba burial mound. Huge wine amphorae are attractively displayed on elegant tripods.