Images

Silver amphora-rhyton with zoomorphic handles. C. 500 BCE, Vassil Bojkov Collection. Photographer: Marin Karavelov for the Thrace Foundation www.thracefoundation.org

Silver-gilt amphora-rhyton from Kukouva Mogila tumulus, Duvanlii. Early 5th century BCE. National Archaeological Institute with Museum - BAS. Photo: Nikolay Genov in catalogue of the exhibition Los Tracios. Tesoros enigmáticos de Bulgaria...

Miniature axe, decorated with protomes of a bull, griffin, and a deer. The blade is shaped as a stylised goat head. 8th-7th century BCE. Regional Museum of History - Stara Zagora. Photo: Nikolay Genov in catalogue of the exhibition Los...

The handles of a pair of samurai swords (the daisho or 'great and small') with traditional ray skin covers and silk bindings. 19th century CE. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

The blade of a samurai sword, the katana, displaying the distinctive wavy hamon or temper pattern used by Japanese swordsmiths to identify their work. 1501 CE. (Guimet Museum, Paris)

Two steel-bladed Japanese samurai swords: the longer katana and shorter wakizashi. 18-19th century CE. (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

A mid-19th century CE woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi of the samurai Onikojima Yatarô Kazutada (1522-1582 CE). (Private Collection)

A detail showing the failed Mongol attack on the defensive walls of Hakata, Japan in 1281 CE. From the Mongol Scroll, aka the 'Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasion of Japan.' Commissioned by Takezaki Suenaga, 1293 CE.

A detail showing Japanese samurai attacking a much larger Mongol ship during the failed invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 CE. From the Mongol Scroll, aka the 'Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasion of Japan.' Commissioned by Takezaki...

The massacre of the Paulicians in 843/844 CE. Chronicle of John Skylitzes, cod. Vitr. 26-2, fol. 69, Madrid National Library