leowchu
DPP_0276
Bronze sword with gold-covered rivets for securing the hilt. The inner sheathing of the sword pommel is decorated with a repoussé acrobat performing a full backward somersault. His depiction on the sword may indicate that the acrobat performed the somersault over a sword set upright, at the risk of his life. References to such "leaps of death" by both male and female acrobats are found in later ancient sources. Malia-palace, 1800-1600 BC.
DPP_0276
Bronze sword with gold-covered rivets for securing the hilt. The inner sheathing of the sword pommel is decorated with a repoussé acrobat performing a full backward somersault. His depiction on the sword may indicate that the acrobat performed the somersault over a sword set upright, at the risk of his life. References to such "leaps of death" by both male and female acrobats are found in later ancient sources. Malia-palace, 1800-1600 BC.