Trident and Tales

Greek appliqué of a Maenad

3rd - 2nd century BCE

Greek mirror with a nymph washing her hair

ca. 280 BCE

Roman statue of the goddess Luna

2nd century CE

Greek amphora with a Satyr carrying a Silenos on his back, another satyr behind them

ca. 470 BCE (The Charmides Painter)

Greek votive relief of Selene with a crescent on her head, around her seven stars, and the signs of the zodiac

2nd - 3rd century CE

Etruscan statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa

4th century BCE

Greek bronze statue of a wild boar

6th century BCE

Roman ring stone depicting an artist painting a statue head

1st - 3rd century CE

Cycladic marble statue of a harp player

2800 - 2700 BCE

Roman gem depicting a handshake (dextrarum iunctio - a symbol of unity (e.g. in a political or wedding context)). In the background, a herald’s staff, a poppy flower on a long stem, and an ear of corn on either side

1st century CE

Greek gold coin from Taranto

Obverse: the head of a woman (often interpreted as Hera) with a small dolphin and the inscription TARA (Taranto)

Reverse: Poseidon with his trident looking down at a child, inscription: ΤΑΡΑNTINΩN

During the second half of the fourth century BCE, Taranto faced a lot of conflicts with its surrounding neighbors. Therefore, the Reverse could be seen as a cry for help from Taranto, embodied by the Tarentine boy, to its mother city, Sparta, symbolised by Poseidon.

ca. 320 BCE