#phrygia

Bronze Hand of Sabazios

Roman, 2nd-3rd century A.D.

Heavy bronze hand with a serpent and a ball, which was used in the Sabazios cult. The serpent with a finely engraved skin winds around the wrist and rests its head on the thumb. It is closely associated with Sabazios, who is considered as the representative of the circle of nature, which every year blossoms and withered and re-blossoms. The serpent is the symbol for the constant renewal of life and nature. The finger position with the bent small, and ring finger, as well as the stretched out middle, and index finger, as well as thumb correspond to the “Benedictio Latina”, the blessing gesture, which is typical for Sabazios hands. It holds the globe, representing the cosmic omnipotence, which was associated with Sabazios. The gesture's role within the cult was blessing, healing, providing divine help and protection.

A neat little provincial…

Roman Province - Phrygia

AE17 - 2.82g

Agrippina II c. 55 AD

Docimeum Mint

Obverse ΑΓΡΙΠΠΙΝΑΝ CΕΒΑCΤΗΝ

Bust of Agrippina II right, draped

Reverse ΔΟΚΙΜΕΩΝ

Bust of Tyche right, draped, countermark: branch (GIC 383)

🐦“King Midas”

🇧🇷Papa-mel filigrana

🇦🇺Regent Honeyeater

📖(Anthochaera phrygia)

Take a good look at this nature’s work of art. The regent honeyeater is one of Australia’s most endangered species, viewed as an emblematic symbol of woodland conservation in the Victoria and NSW region. Its yellow pattern is carefully entwined in its black body and gives the impression that its feathers are embroidered with gold. Perhaps that’s where it gets its scientific name “phrygia” from, as Phrygia was a kingdom from antiquity,  famously known for making beautiful pieces of embroidery with gold. I wonder if they could be another victim of Midas the king (who comes from Phrygia btw), if they were touched by him and just learned how to stop the process of turning into gold.  These birds used to be found more abundantly in eastern and south Australia, but habitat reduction made the population decrease drastically and rapidly. They are great agents of pollination, especially linked to some eucalyptus species! They live, nest and feed in those trees, centering their diet mainly on its  nectar, but they can also enjoy some insects and their honeydew. They are so endangered that they are actually losing their native calling. Instead, some younglings learn to mimic other Honeyeater species callings because of the lack of adults to learn from. This makes them the only Honeyeater species to "mimic" others. Their calling has a metallic aspect and they are curiously way more vocal during winter. Fun fact, in some places in Australia, they were actually known as “Embroidered Honeyeaters”.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regent_honeyeater#Conservation_status

https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/regent-honeyeater/?srsltid=AfmBOoqo1BE9HgzwOOmCugOuTQXiZwXY07tyE_AJ_IOXQKtEav_BalQM

https://taronga.org.au/animals/regent-honeyeater

https://www.zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/local-threatened-species/regent-honeyeater/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrygia

https://wwf.org.au/blogs/a-reflection-of-regent-honeyeaters/