Description:

Roman Holyland, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A lead ex-voto figure depicting Atargatis Heliopolitanus from the cult of the Heliopolitan Triad. The goddess figure in the center is flanked by bulls. Items like these were carried on ceremonial occasions in a sacred procession from Heliopolis to Ain Lejouj where they were then flung into the waters of the spring. This was originally a Canaanite cult that the Romans adopted when they conquered the city of Heliopolis in modern day Lebanon. The god Ba'al became Jupiter Heliopolitanus; Atargatis (sometimes called Astarte) became Venus Heliopolitana, and Adon became Mercury, son of Jupiter and Venus. The Romans built a temple to the Triad, and votives like this one to the cult have been found in the region. Size: 2.6" W x 3.6" H (6.6 cm x 9.1 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#122267

  • Condition: Lead patina on surface. One of the bulls has a tear that has been pressed back together.

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March 15, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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