Portable shrine 2nd - 5th century CE. Left: Shrine with doors closed. Right: with doors open. Made
Portable shrine 2nd - 5th century CE. Left: Shrine with doors closed. Right: with doors open. Made of cast lead. Height: 75mm Width: 36mm Discovered at Segedunum, Wallsend, Britannia. Collection of Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, England - Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. Photo © Copyright 2014-2016 Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.Discovered in 1978 during excavations of the soldiers’ barracks at Segedunum Fort, the figure in this shrine wears a winged helmet and possibly holds a purse. There are depictions of a dolphin and a sea horse at the figure’s base. It has been speculated that this shrine may be dedicated to Mercury as protector of those who travel across the sea - or in his role as Psychopomp, the guide of those who travel across the River Styx. (Description source: X)Shrine of Mercury: Portable, Personable, Profound Video by ArchaeoSoup Productions, 2013 -- source link
#mercury#lararium#ancient rome#roman polytheism