Ear Votives in The Greek and Roman Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

This paper is going to focus on the meaning of ear votives in the Greek and Roman Eastern Mediterranean. It will deal specifically with Lydian-Phrygian votive stelae and votive objects from western Asia Minor. In addition, a general evaluation of the finds in Ancient Egypt civilization, Cyprus and Italy is made in the text. Votive steles with large ear depictions are seen for the first time in the 20th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The ear dedications presented to the goddess Hathor at the Temple of the Goddess Hatshepsut are dated to the 18th Dynasty. Models of thousands of human body parts have been unearthed in the sanctuary in Italy. It is seen that these votives are dedicated to Vei and Menerva, the local gods of the Etruscans. In Greek and Roman cultures, votives are mostly presented to Asclepius. An important center in this regard is Pergamon in Anatolia.