First royals of Europe

5 Apr 2024 — 19 Jan 2025 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Canada

12 October 2024

These gold, silver and amber pieces were found in the grave of an Illyrian woman, suggesting she had power and high standing in her community, Iron Age, 550–450 BCE. Courtesy of the National Museum of Serbia and the Canadian Museum of History

These gold, silver and amber pieces were found in the grave of an Illyrian woman, suggesting she had power and high standing in her community, Iron Age, 550–450 BCE. Courtesy of the National Museum of Serbia and the Canadian Museum of History

The origins of royalty date back further than you may think… European royalty emerged thousands of years ago in southeastern Europe. Embark upon an epic journey to discover the origins of power and inequity in ancient southeastern Europe.

Explore 6,500 years of history — from the Neolithic Age to the end of the Iron Age and the dawn of empires — when precious metals were first smelted into copper axes, bronze swords, and silver and gold jewellery, and warriors built armies to rule the masses.

For the first time in Canada, more than 700 rare and exquisite objects from 26 institutions across southeastern Europe have been brought together to explore how individuals grew their power by amassing wealth and controlling trade, rituals, ceremonies and warfare.

We hope that visitors come away from this exhibition with an understanding that questions of power — who has it, who doesn’t, and why — were as relevant in the past as they are today.

(Caroline Dromaguet, president and chief executive officer, Canadian Museum of History)

Canadian Museum of History

Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History welcomes over 1.2 million visitors each year to its celebrated complex in the heart of the National Capital Region, making it the country’s most-visited museum.

Location

Gatineau, Canada

Founded in

1856

Silver gilt helmet, Iron Age, 325–275 BCE. Courtesy of the National History Museum of Romania and the Canadian Museum of History

Bird-shaped lamp made of bronze, Bronze Age, 1200–900 BCE. Courtesy of the Hungarian National Museum and the Canadian Museum of History

Feasting dishes and cups of King Kotys I, Iron Age, 350–300 BCE. Courtesy of Rousse Regional Museum of History, Bulgaria and the Canadian Museum of History

Silver gilt helmet, Iron Age, 325–275 BCE. Courtesy of the National History Museum of Romania and the Canadian Museum of History
Bird-shaped lamp made of bronze, Bronze Age, 1200–900 BCE. Courtesy of the Hungarian National Museum and the Canadian Museum of History
Feasting dishes and cups of King Kotys I, Iron Age, 350–300 BCE. Courtesy of Rousse Regional Museum of History, Bulgaria and the Canadian Museum of History

Bird-shaped lamp made of bronze, Bronze Age, 1200–900 BCE. Courtesy of the Hungarian National Museum and the Canadian Museum of History
Feasting dishes and cups of King Kotys I, Iron Age, 350–300 BCE. Courtesy of Rousse Regional Museum of History, Bulgaria and the Canadian Museum of History
Silver gilt helmet, Iron Age, 325–275 BCE. Courtesy of the National History Museum of Romania and the Canadian Museum of History

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