#Exhibit of the Month

Amphoras are massive vessels originating from the ancient Greek world, executed on the potter's wheel, in which Greek merchants, in the process of their trade with other territories and peoples, transported, in particular, Greek wine, olive oil, salted olives, paints, nuts, etc. The shape of the Greek commercial amphora, in the opinion of some researchers, vaguely recalls the female figure, having, probably, at the beginning, a sacred character. Among the main features of the amphorae are well-thought-out metric proportions. The full amphora, placed in a horizontal position, rested on the body and on the elongated foot in such a way that the upper part of the vessel and the high neck were permanently raised obliquely, so that the liquid would not spill. The sharp shape of the foot required special fixation, either on special supports, or the lower part of the body was buried in the ground or sand. The deep inner cavity of the leg did not allow the liquid in the vessel to become cloudy during the transport process, the sediments remaining stored inside the leg.

Among the dozens of city-states in ancient Greece, which practiced trade with the local populations of the Black Sea region (Euxine Bridge), there is also the city of Mende (Μένδη), located on the Kassandra arm (Κασσάνδρας) of the Halkidiki peninsula (Halkidiki - Χαλκιδική). It is considered that the foundation of the city of Mende took place in the century VIII BC. The main article of trade of this Greek polis was wine, considered of superior quality and even indicated by Hippocrates as a medicine in the treatment of certain diseases. Starting with the century 6th century BC, the city of Mende experienced economic growth, especially in the Circumpontian region, and in the V-IV BC Mendiot wine appears more and more frequently in the local markets of this region.

Even some barbarian tribes, according to the Greek tradition, often used wine amphorae in the funeral process, when they were placed, as an offering, in the graves, together with other objects, which were either brought as an offering to the gods, or were intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

Such a funerary complex was discovered by archaeologist Nicolae Chetraru in 1987 - the Scythian tumulus no. 45 from Dubăsari. The deceased was cremated, and three amphorae and a large bronze cauldron were placed in the grave. Among the amphorae (all belonging to Greek wine centers) was one from Mende, along with two others from Chios. Since the wines of Mende and Chios were considered expensive wines, as was the bronze cauldron, their presence in this mound was an indication of a privileged financial and social position of the person cremated here.

The Mende amphora from tomb 1 of mound 45 at Dubăsari is, at the moment, the only complete vessel from this center on the territory of the Republic. Moldova, although fragments of Mendiot amphorae have also been discovered in other archaeological sites in the country.

The vessel is made of a yellowish-brown paste with chewed sand and many particles of mica. The amphora has the following basic dimensions: height - 740 mm, depth - 610 mm, maximum diameter - 390 mm.

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Events Archive

The “Coronation Centenary Caravan” was on the trail of the royal visits from the Republic of Moldova

September 3, 2022

A new stop of the Coronation Centenary Caravan, a project organized by the Artis Association in partnership with the City Hall of the Municipality Iași, took place between September 2-3, 2022, in Chisinau, in the presence of ambassadors Irina-Margareta Nistor (Cinema Ambassador), Adrian Cioroianu (Historian, Ambassador), Nicolae Pepene (Historian, Ambassador), Alexandru Muraru (Historian, Ambassador) and of the special guest - Pedro J. Fuentes Cid (Jurist, Cuban dissident).

Approximately 500 students and teachers from the capital of the Republic of Moldova participated in events that marked the Centenary of the Coronation of King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria, within the project organized under the auspices of the Royal Family of Romania.

On Saturday, September 3, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the episode number 13 of the Coronation Centenary Caravan. It hosted experiences, confessions and emotions that reminded of Maria - the Heart of Romania.

At the end of the screening of the documentary Maria – The Heart of Romania (director Trevor Poots), took place one of the most emotional question-and-answer sessions within the project. It was a session of confessions from the spectators, many of whom were students, teachers or tour guides. The reactions were different, full of emotion and admiration.

"I come from the period when we were discussing about Stephen the Great, about the Romanian people, and I was burning with the desire to reach Romania one day. I never dreamed then that I would present Romania to tourists from the Republic of Moldova, I am a guide to this day. Thank you for making an extraordinary journey and softening my soul and heart! You came home, I've been waiting for you!"

"The most beautiful surprise for me was this museum. It is so well cared for, so inspiringly organized that it was a surprise that reached my heart, I felt at home" - Nicolae Pepene, historian and ambassador of the project.

"Talking about the Centenary of the Coronation means talking about statehood, patriotism, loyalty, steadfastness. That is, these values that Royalty and the Royal Family have embraced so well. Not only during the eight decades that the monarchy was part of the political structure of the Romanian State, but also after" - Alexandru Muraru, ambassador of the project.

"I think it's very nice that I arrived in Chisinau on Thursday, Queen Maria also came here on a Thursday, so I think she arranged it to be that way. The films have also been picked up by the History Channel here and across the ocean, so you can be sure that they're not just showing a good picture or the things that set you up for one reason or another. It's really a real history lesson" - Irina-Margareta Nistor, Cinema Ambassador.

After each film screening, there were Q&A sessions with guests present, as well as the opening of the exhibition 1922. The Year of the Coronation (curator Nicolae Pepene). Entry to all events was free.

Coronation Centenary Caravan in Chisinau was organized with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Chisinau and the Dulcinella patisserie chain.

The National Museum of History of Moldova is honored to host such a large-scale event, in the hall where the emblems of royalty are at home!