Pages: 163-178
This article is in English
The article proposes a hypothetical reconstruction of a hitherto unknown Getic parade helmet type from the 4th century BC, distinguished from the monolithic silver and gold Getic parade helmets discovered north of the Danube. It was developed on the basis of the interpretation of the rectangular plates discovered in the treasure from Letnitsa as appliqués to a parade helmet and two accidentally found cheekpieces from NE Bulgaria. A comparative analysis of asynchronous analogies among the Scandinavian ceremonial helmets covered with plates with scenes from Norse mythology, mainly with the Sutton Hoo helmet is applied. The rare for Thracian art scenes on some of the plates from Letnitsa and their extreme closeness, even in terms of composition to those from Sutton Hoo and other plates from the North are grounds for assuming the sharing of the same mythological ideas, beliefs and ritual practices among the tribes with similar names — Getae and Goths. The earliest artistic and compositional manifestations of these beliefs, which became a canon preserved over the centuries, wеre in the Thracian Getic lands. The examined issue of ceremonial helmets illustrates the so far neglected contributions of the North Thracian lands in the formation of Scandinavian culture and art.
Keywords: Parade helmets, Getae, Goths, Thrace, Scandinavia, Letnitsa, Sutton Hoo, Zalmoxis, Beowolf
Information about author:
Diana Gergova (Sofia, Bulgaria). Doctor of Historical Sciences. National Academy of Art, Bulgaria. Shipka St., 1, Sofia-Center, Sofia, 1000, Bulgaria
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-0661-2417