Abstract
The paper analyzes a magical amulet discovered in 2007 by Radu Petcu in the civilian Roman settlement of Ostrov-Durostorum, province of Moesia Inferior. The intaglio, made of lapis lazuli, is a ring stone and depicts the so-called Pantheos or Polymorphic Deity . Following a description of the iconography, a history of research on the interpretation of this deity is presented. An interpretation of the Greek texts on the obverse and reverse of the intaglio is then offered, assisted by a review of comparanda. Finally, the conclusions are made, envisaging the apotropaic role of the amulet and the importance of the new vox magica. Keywords: Magical Amulet; Durostorum; Pantheos; Polymorphic deity; vox magica.
Highlights
Wissenschaftlicher Beirat Angelos Chaniotis, Denis Feissel, Jörg Fündling, Nikolaos Gonis, Klaus Hallof, Anne Kolb, Michael Peachin
Since the matter is fairly complicated, we present a brief overall view
The Byblos amulet, despite being quite unparalleled, has come to dominate the discussion: following a suggestion by Simone Michel, Paolo Vitellozzi views ‘Pantheos’ as a deity who in Phoenicia was assimilated to El-Kronos, citing the inscription from Byblos, and this idea has been adopted by Mastrocinque in his latest discussion.[19]
Summary
Wissenschaftlicher Beirat Angelos Chaniotis, Denis Feissel, Jörg Fündling, Nikolaos Gonis, Klaus Hallof, Anne Kolb, Michael Peachin. The Byblos amulet, despite being quite unparalleled, has come to dominate the discussion: following a suggestion by Simone Michel, Paolo Vitellozzi views ‘Pantheos’ as a deity who in Phoenicia was assimilated to El-Kronos, citing the inscription from Byblos, and this idea has been adopted by Mastrocinque in his latest discussion.[19] All this does not really help in comprehending the precise nature of this deity, if we believe that it is meaningful to speak of a precise identity in this context of competing conceptions and imagery.[20] There seems to be a consensus that the polymorphism of the ‘Pantheos’ represents a solar divinity,[21] and that the overall aim is protective or apotropaic.[22] On our gem the solar association is underlined by the text ΜΟΥΝ // TOY engraved beside the figure. The entire text on the reverse is encircled by an elliptical ouroboros.[36]
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