Abradates’ Ex-Voto

Abradates’ Ex-Voto

Bronze
Ancient Rome, 1st Century -2nd Century AD
Provenance:
Collection of Prof. Dr. Peter Robert Franke, (numismatic)
Bought in Munich on the 28th of March 1995 for 675 DM, from Firma Ceylan
Export Document Germany: 12263 – 8 VIII 2023
ALR Ref: S00236855



H 7,2 x W 9,3 x D 2,2 cm (bronze plaquette)
H 2 7/8 x W 3 2/3 x D 0 7/8 inch










The tradition of votive offerings—known as 'ex-votos'—was a prevalent practice in the religious culture of ancient Rome, particularly between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. Although this specific artifact hails from Roman antiquity, the inscription is in Greek, reflecting the syncretic religious landscape of the time. The god Asclepios, originally a Greek deity associated with healing and medicine, was assimilated into the Roman pantheon and often equated with the Roman god Aesculapius.

The artifact is a tabula ansata, a type of plaque characterized by its "handled" shape, which often resembles a cartouche. It is a rather small but nonetheless impactful piece. Tabulae ansatae were typically used to bear inscriptions or messages, and this particular piece is dedicated to Asclepios.

The inscription in Greek reads: "Abradates consecrates the votive gift to Asclepios on the basis of a vow." This indicates that the offering was made by someone named Abradates in fulfillment of a vow to the god of healing. The presence of the inscription in Greek may suggest that Abradates or the community from which this object originates had cultural or ethnic ties to the Greek world.
Notably, a three-dimensional phallus is attached below the inscription. In both Greco-Roman cultures, the phallus was often symbolic of fertility, potency, and served an apotropaic function—warding off evil spirits or misfortune. In the context of a vow to a healing deity, this could represent a desire for physical well-being, virility, or protection from ailments.

This tabula ansata serves as an insightful representation of the personal piety and syncretic religious practices of ancient Rome. The Greek inscription highlights the cultural exchange and amalgamation that was common in antiquity, while the votive nature of the object provides a window into individual belief systems and social practices of the time.






Futher reading:
• Beard, M., North, J., & Price, S. (1998). "Religions of Rome: Volume 1, A History". Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Turfa, Jean MacIntosh. (2015). "Divining the Etruscan World: The Brontoscopic Calendar and Religious Practice". Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.