Open AccessLe Succès d’Harpocrate à Nea Paphos
Author(s) -
Jean-Louis Podvin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
studies in ancient art and civilization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2449-867X
pISSN - 1899-1548
DOI - 10.12797/saac.21.2017.21.10
Subject(s) - terracotta , cult , bronze , interpretation (philosophy) , ancient history , period (music) , sign (mathematics) , art , popularity , history , classics , archaeology , philosophy , law , political science , mathematical analysis , linguistics , mathematics , aesthetics
Even though we find only a few traces of the Egyptian god Harpocrates on epigraphic inscriptions, his cult was widespread in Ancient Near East during the Graeco-Roman period. The discovery of figurines (terracotta, glass, bronze, silver, and sometimes gold) and other artefacts depicting the young god (for instance on lamps) is a good sign of his popularity at all stratas of society. In Cyprus, such representations of Harpocrates are scarce (Amathontes, Salamine), except for Nea Paphos.The recent publication of an amulet discovered in Nea Paphos gives the opportunity to discuss its interpretation and to come back on the presence of the young god on the island.