gems, trade, commerce, early trade

If we think of commerce between Greeks and peoples who were less advanced in material culture, what comes first to mind? Probably the splendid and valuable works of art, which have been found at considerable distances from Greece and from Greek colonies, such as the precious objects in gold and silver from Scythian tombs, the magnificent Greek metalwork from Trebeniste, the so-called ‘Rhodian’ oenochoe, or the enormous bronze crater of Vix. The powerful impact made by such dramatic discoveries on our imaginations is, unfortunately, not matched by our knowledge and understanding. The Scythian finds are usually classified as Graeco-Scythian art, and it is generally recognized that they were made by Greek craftsmen to satisfy Scythian tastes, but we simply do not know in what city, or part of the Greek world, they originated, and we are reduced to guessing possibilities, when we try to establish either by what routes they came, or whether they should be regarded as diplomatic gifts, tribute of some kind, or one part of a commercial exchange.