The Putting On of Gold Ornaments

Ornaments made of sheets of gold decorated with relief representations, chiefly of animals and plants, were very common. Other popular ornaments were the scarab and the scaraboid, regularly set in swivel rings. Bracelets​—sometimes called oʹphis (serpent) or draʹkon (dragon)—​were favorite pieces of jewelry.

Excavations have brought to light diadems, medallions, necklaces, pendants, rings, and other ornaments. Such articles for personal decoration were usually made from gold, iron, and copper and less frequently from silver, whereas beads were of glass or semiprecious stones.

Earrings were also popular. Sometimes they were external insignia of dignity, marks of power, or a showy display of material prosperity. Girls normally had their ears pierced at an early age.

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Ornaments and Religion

Very often the representations found on ancient Greek ornaments are of a religious nature. Some were medallions depicting various gods and goddesses, such as Artemis, and demigods, such as Hercules. Very common gifts devoted to shrines throughout Greece were ornaments with religious ritualistic scenes. Reflecting the pagan belief that the human soul survives the death of the body, many decorative ornaments were placed in the burial places along with the dead person.

Above: Gold medallion with bust of Artemis

Right: A girl dressed in a “hi·maʹti·on”

Below right: Gold diadem

Far left: A goddess clad in a “khi·tonʹ” and a “hi·maʹti·on”

Left: Gold bracelets terminating in snakes’ heads