When we also consider that the official position of Chief Painter existed in Kartli during this period, it clearly demonstrates how deeply steeped the Kingdom of Kartli was in classical culture. Furthermore, it is worth noting that a philosophical academy was also functioning in Colchis during this very same era.
by GoldenChinchilla
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The lettering on the gold reads, I think:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΟΥΣΤΑΜΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΓΕΝΙΟΥ
I.e., βασιλέως Οὐστάμου τοῦ καὶ Εὐγενίου, “Of King Ustamos and also Eugenios.”
In other words, “I belong to King Ustamos and also Eugenios.”
I’m not sure whether that means that the writing set belonged to two people, one King Ustamos and another (another king or price?) Eugenios, or in fact this king had two different names, i.e., “Of King Ustamos, also known as Eugenios.” The words in the small panels on the right are the names of the nine muses.
Awesome piece!