Terracotta votive replica of male genitals
Archaeological museum of ancient Messene
5910-3
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Terracotta votive replica of male genitals
4th century BCE
Archaeological museum of ancient Messene
Early Asclepius sanctuary, ancient Messene
Width: 7.5 cm x Height: 9.1 cm
Terracotta votive replica of male genitals. Part of the pubic hair is depicted, with traces of reddish slip. It must have been an offering to the early sanctuary of Asclepius, excavated beneath the deposits of the south atrium of the Hellenistic Asclepieion in ancient Messene and implies the healing powers of the god. These powers are less obvious in the later Asclepieion (late 3rd cent. BCE), when the political side of Asclepius is more prominent, being the son of Arsinoe and as the mythical king Messenia.