Cyme of Aeolis and Dionysus’ Gold. A New Diadem from the Necropolis

Abstract

Starting from the discovery of a gold-leaf diadem during excavations conducted in the necropolis of Cyme in August 2008, I will consider the whole group of Cymean pediment-shaped diadems, analysing their style and iconography. Cymean diadems point to a particular development of the »atelier« style of the diadems belonging to the Madytos-Abydos group, documenting the extraordinary level of Cymean goldsmiths in the age of Alexander.

Their iconographies recall the world of Dionysus, whose cult is particularly widespread in Cyme, and they underline the role traditionally played by women in the Cymean aristocratic class, as a medium of wealth and lineage, guarantor of lineage-perpetuation. They attest the persistence of relations with Troas and Phrygia, both regions rich in metals, called into question by the historical sources concerning Cyme since the Archaic period.