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Gilded Cybele Plaque. Ai Khanoum, Takhar Province.

1965
A silver plaque (d. 25 cm.) highlighted with gold relief dates from around the 2nd century BCE and represents the golden-robed Cybele, Goddess of Nature, standing under a royal parasol with the winged Nike, the Goddess of Victory. in a chariot drawn by a pair of lions led by Nike. They cross a gilded rocky landscape moving towards a priest standing behind a fire alter. In the heavens a radiated torso of the Sun god, Helios, a crescent moon and a star shine brightly. It was found at the temple within the walls. The iconography combines typically Greek elements (Helios) with a Zoroastrian fire altar in an art style with a strong oriental (Persian) flavor. Possily it was an import.
Photo: Louis Dupree

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Filename
65-M-LD-3.jpg
Copyright
acku Afghanistan
Image Size
3897x3439 / 5.4MB
Contained in galleries
NATIONAL MUSEUM I - BCE (Before Common Era)
1965<br /> A silver plaque (d. 25 cm.) highlighted with gold relief dates from around the 2nd century BCE and represents the golden-robed Cybele, Goddess of Nature, standing under a royal parasol with the winged Nike, the Goddess of Victory. in a chariot drawn by a pair of lions led by Nike. They cross a gilded rocky landscape moving towards a priest standing behind a fire alter. In the heavens a radiated torso of the Sun god, Helios, a crescent moon and a star shine brightly. It was found at the temple within the walls. The iconography combines typically Greek elements (Helios) with a Zoroastrian fire altar in an art style with a strong oriental (Persian) flavor. Possily it was an import.<br /> Photo: Louis Dupree