---
title: Achaemenid Silver and Gold Horn Cup
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4827/achaemenid-silver-and-gold-horn-cup/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Achaemenid Silver and Gold Horn Cup

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Achaemenid Silver and Gold Horn Cup](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4827.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4827.jpg)

## Image Caption

This object combines both Syrian and Persian styles. While the shape of the cup echoes a classical Persian wine-pourer (rhyton), it actually functioned as a drinking cup. Large animal-headed cups were popular in [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/) in earlier periods. The [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) portion was hammered from thick silver sheet but the protome at the front was made from much thinner [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) sheet and is in the shape of a crouching bull. The style of the bull is closely related to earlier Syrian representations. The drinking cup holds the equivalent of over 2 bottles of wine. According to the 5th century BCE [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) historian [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/), the Persians were very fond of wine. It was found in Aleppo, Syrian but said to come from Kahramanmaras ([Turkey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/)). [Achaemenid](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Achaemenid/) Period, 6th-4th centuries BCE. (The British Museum, London)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, April 06). Achaemenid Silver and Gold Horn Cup. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4827/achaemenid-silver-and-gold-horn-cup/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Achaemenid Silver and Gold Horn Cup." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 06, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4827/achaemenid-silver-and-gold-horn-cup/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Achaemenid Silver and Gold Horn Cup." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Apr 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4827/achaemenid-silver-and-gold-horn-cup/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 06 April 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.