PHALLIC AMULET
Roman culture
PHALLIC AMULET
Bronze.
Length: 5cm. Height: 2.6 cm. Maximum thickness: 2.5 cm.
Roman period. 1st century A.D.
Origin
Country house in La Mazmorra. Jerez de la Frontera. Cádiz.
Description
Pendant is flat at the back, with central ring and representation of male sex organs, phallus and 'higa' (a closed fist with thumb sticking out between middle and ring finger, symbolic allegory of male genitalia). The use of this type of amulets is linked to prosperity and abundance. Popular belief held that they warded off spells such as the “evil eye” - very common in the Roman period. Repeated motifs on the same amulet, as here, would multiply its protective ability.
Bibliography
- Unknown
