Antiquities Discussion Forums > Seals and Tesserae
Scorpion, Hare, and Snake Tessera
v-drome:
Hi, here is a very small lead tessera with a scorpion on one side and a hare (or dog?) leaping over a snake on the reverse. The size is consistent with the diminutive pieces often found at Caesarea. A second tessera, from the same region, is shown below and has a hare and snake in similar position. Caesarea was also home to a temple of Mithras, who is associated with the scorpion, dog, and snake, so I don't want to rule out that possible link. Any ideas on the mythology or meaning of the images would be welcome. Thanks, V-drome.
BCC Lt31
Lead Tessera
Late Roman 1st-4th cent.?
Obv: Scorpion to left.
Rev: Animal , hare (or dog?),
leaping over snake.
11x9mm. 0.80gm. Axis:0
v-drome:
I thought I would bump this topic in case anyone has new ideas about the meaning of these types. Thanks, jimi
Gert:
Really nice pieces, and ones that are rarely seen. I am not sure we can say anything with certainty about the precise meaning of any of these types. Consider also the possibility that there isn't any deeper meaning, and that these were chosen purely for decorative or aesthetic reasons.
Regards
Gert
v-drome:
Thank you again, Gert. Most of these very small leads are so poorly preserved. These were two of the exceptions.
Best regards, Jimi
Gert:
The hare does remind me of this "Ephesian" tessera type: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=8103081
Regards
Gert
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