Roman Votive Plaque with Asclepius
2nd-3rd century A.D. A sheet-bronze votive plaque fragment displaying repoussé ornament, likely the god Asclepius holding his snake-entwined staff beneath a columned arch, additional snakes raising their heads and necks beside and above him, other enigmatic symbols in the field. Cf. similar style plaque in the British Museum, an embossed plaque of Athena, inventory number 2003.0901.23. 2.67 grams, 52 mm (2 in.). Acquired before 2000.From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. Aesculapius, god of medicine, the Greek Asclepius, son of Apollo and a mortal, Coronis, is often accompanied by a snake, a symbol of wisdom and healing power. Aesculapius-Asclepius is also often represented with the staff having a snake wrapped around it.