Тhe ‘Persian’ Golden Rooster Ring in Sofia

Abstract

The National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia houses a remarkable golden ring. It features a meticulously crafted rooster in Persianising style – an interpretation introduced for the first time in this study. It presumably originates from the Kukuva burial mound of the Duvanli necropolis. This article delves into the ring’s detailed examination, exploring the image of the rooster and its broader context to unveil new insights into its origins and significance. Crafted possibly by East Greek artisans during the Achaemenid period in the Mediterranean, the ring was among the luxurious gifts exchanged by Persians with the local Thracian elite, symbolising loyalty and allegiance. The image of the rooster, a representation of Auramazda, was part of the Achaemenid high-life, accompanied by amphorae, phialae and alabastrons, and adopted by subjects and political allies across the Persian Empire.