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Guardian of the sacred treasure on the marble sarcophagus

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Guardian of the sacred treasure on 
the marble sarcophagus

The griffins guardians of abundant gold reserves played a significant role in ancient Greece. Believed to originate from the Near East and ancient Egypt the griffins mythical creatures with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle were fierce guardians of gold treasures symbolizing supreme power and courage. The Greeks and Romans believed these loyal protectors of treasure were closely associated with the gods and their sacred chariots adorned bas-reliefs on Greek tombstones and inscriptions. In the afterlife the griffins with their winged bodies facing each other stood beside acanthus petals and candlesticks representing protection in Roman times.

The Griffin Sarcophagus carved from Roman marble depicts two griffins facing a cup symbolizing guardians of the tomb and treasure

The main ritualistic depictions of the deceased dating back to the Roman Empire were made of marble from surviving Greek islands. Ancient Greek pottery and bronze head ornaments adorn large ritual pots along with the oldest surviving frescoes and gold ornaments depicting griffins with the body of a lion and wings further highlight the griffins. Griffins were highly revered as protectors representing power and safeguarding. The eagle the king of birds is another notable figure.

A bas relief depicting Lamasu the mythical creature of ancient Mesopotamia with the head of a man the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle. This artwork is a protective sculptural work found at an Assyrian entrance gate.

In ancient Mesopotamia colossal griffin carvings depicting conquests and divine protection were created between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. Mesopotamian art also featured highly detailed historical records on stone tablets symbols of fertility such as the sacred tree and artifacts from the archaeological site of Olympia. One such artifact is a perforated bronze panel depicting a griffin the guardian of gold believed to have originally been used as a decorative element on a metope wooden cladding of a temple dating from approximately 630 to 620 BC. It is currently on display at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia in Greece.