Images

A gilt-bronze statue of Maitreya (the coming Buddha). Three Kingdoms Period, c. 600 CE, Korea. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

A ceramic ewer in the form of a warrior on horseback. 5-6th century CE, Silla Kingdom, Korea. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

This sardonyx cameo depicts Nike (Victory). The winged goddess wears a long chiton and drives a 4-horse chariot. Skillful Roman cameo-carvers exploited the tonal contrast of some stones. This could be a simple 2-tone contrast or a more subtle...

A painting of a winged horse on a birch bark saddle flap. From the Heavenly Horse Tomb, Gyeongju, Korea. Silla, 5-6th century CE.

5-6th century CE gold earrings from the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE - 668 CE) of south-eastern Korea. From a tomb in the Gyeongju area. National Treasure No. 52. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

A gold Buddha statuette from the Unified Silla Kingdom (668-918 CE), Korea. From a stone pagoda at the Hwangbok-sa temple site, Gyeongju before 706 CE. Height 12.5 cm (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

A c. 6th century CE gold girdle from the Silla kingdom of south-eastern Korea (57 BCE - 668 CE). From the Gold Crown Tomb, Gyeongju. National Treasure No. 88. (Gyeongju National Museum, South Korea)

A map showing the three kingdoms (Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje) and the Gaya confederation which ruled Korea between the 1st and 7th century CE.

Silver coin issued by Tissaphernes (c. 420-395 BCE) in Persia. The obverse depicts a satrap while the reverse shows a lyre with seven strings.

A gilt-bronze statue of a seated Maitreya (the future Buddha). Silla, early 7th century CE. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)