Object type
phallic amulet
Culture/period
Roman world
Materials
bronze
Technique
molding
Mint
Production date
1 / 100
Current location
MASPG
Archaeological site
Empúries
Township
Escala, l' (Europa, Espanya, Catalunya, Girona, Alt Empordà)
Dimensions
84 x 56 x 12,5 mm
Description
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Roman phallic amulet of bronze, dating to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. It comes from Empúries (L'Escala, Alt Empordà). Made in a mould, it is 8 cm wide and 5 cm high. It is of the type called “cum scroto pubeque” . Under the suspension ring, on the right side of the piece is an erect phallus and on the left an arm with his hand making the fig (fist closed with the thumb protruding between the index and middle fingers), a representation of the female sexual organ and the sexual act. At the bottom the male sexual organ is seen from the front, with the penis at rest, the testicles and small incisions that represent the pubic hair.
These types of amulets, despite their sexual character, were related to protection. The association of the male member with the protection against the evil eye would be represented in many areas that were not of a sexual type.
A text by Varro has suggested that such small amulets could have also been used by children, although the quintessential children's amulet was the “bulla” .
© Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Girona
Omeka ID
3146