FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Antiquities Discussion Forums => Fibulae and Clothing Items => Topic started by: Mayadigger on January 06, 2022, 05:23:56 pm

Title: Great Pan is Dead...?
Post by: Mayadigger on January 06, 2022, 05:23:56 pm
Ave!

Copper alloy; 21mm/2.5gm

Head of Pan/Satyr facing; horns, wild hair, beard and all. The reverse has a broken ring, perhaps worn as a necklace?

Amazing that such a tiny and delicate artifact, despite 2,000 or years in the ground, still remains in this condition.
I really enjoy seeing the original file marks on the reverse.

Any thoughts as to why this artifact was ground-found in Croatia, its era and use, will be truly appreciated!
Title: Re: Great Pan is Dead...?
Post by: Mayadigger on January 20, 2022, 04:51:46 pm
Ave!

Perhaps this is the best explanation from a friend in Romania.

I was (and am) puzzled by the object. I think that you association with Pan may have been more possible if the discovery site was
Ukraine, but also then, Pan has no bull horns. The fact that it was discovered in Croatia makes me think that it may be another older
God: similar masks are part of the New Year's celebrations in Romanian villages. I'll send you a video a feeling of the traditions showing their thousands of years pre-Christian origins.

The masks, and their dances, are to frighten the bad and evil spirits, to stop them to enter in the New Year in the house of those
they visit and where they perform the ritual:  dancing and singing. The masks represent Gods, and fabulous characters from lost
(transformed) religions, beliefs and customs. After the dance in the yard the host gives to the band wine and food. The masks band goes
from household to household, in some parts of the country until end February. These traditions bridge to the 1st of March, the start
of the year at the agricultural societies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnXE_fWRtW4

Best,

Kevin

 
Title: Re: Great Pan is Dead...?
Post by: SC on January 20, 2022, 05:32:50 pm
My guess is it is Roman, or immediately post-Roman, era due to the construction. 

Local ("provincial") style, so yes could be some sort of local God.  Most though were given an association with a Roman god - a hyphenation - so I suspect Pan-something even if it doesn't match the normal Pan.

As for use, not sure.  It is an odd place for a reverse ring. 

SC