DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15100#0152
98
but are not perfectly closed. It is probable that this hand ori-
ginally grasped a spear, which rested on the ground.
No. 5. A votive foot with a sandal, round the ancle of which is
twined a serpent with its head resting upon the summit of the
monument, which terminates a little above the ancle. The circum-
stance of the serpent being twined round the foot renders it highly
probable that this foot has been an offering to vEsculapius, in grati-
tude for some cure received in that part of the body. The temple of
iEsculapius at Epidaurus,7 was rich with the gifts which the sick had
consecrated to that deity, in gratitude for the cure of their several
maladies, and in the island of Cos there was another temple of JEs-
culapius equally distinguished for the immense number of gifts with
which it was filled. The nature and value of these gifts depended
upon the wealth and liberality of the parties who presented them;
some were very splendid, but the offerings of the more humble vo-
taries might perhaps consist of imitations in stone or brass of those
parts of the body which had been relieved from some disease or in-
jury. Many bronze feet of this kind have been found, with a chain
and ring attached to them, by which they were probably suspended
in the temple where they were offered up. Combe's MS. notes.
Height 10 in. Width 6^ in. Length 1 ft. 3 in.
No. 6. This is also a votive foot with a serpent twined round
the ancle with its head resting on the summit. It differs very
slightly from the preceding, and, like it, was probably a votive offer-
ing in some temple of ^Esculapius, deposited in grateful commemo-
ration of a cure performed. Sometimes these votive feet re-
corded the happy return of the votary from a journey or perilous
undertaking, as one has been found inscribed FAVSTOS RE-
DIRE.9 But those entwined with a serpent may safely be con-
7 Livy, xlv. 28. 8 Strabo, xiv. p. 657. 9 Lucernee Mus. Passer, ii. tab. 73.
but are not perfectly closed. It is probable that this hand ori-
ginally grasped a spear, which rested on the ground.
No. 5. A votive foot with a sandal, round the ancle of which is
twined a serpent with its head resting upon the summit of the
monument, which terminates a little above the ancle. The circum-
stance of the serpent being twined round the foot renders it highly
probable that this foot has been an offering to vEsculapius, in grati-
tude for some cure received in that part of the body. The temple of
iEsculapius at Epidaurus,7 was rich with the gifts which the sick had
consecrated to that deity, in gratitude for the cure of their several
maladies, and in the island of Cos there was another temple of JEs-
culapius equally distinguished for the immense number of gifts with
which it was filled. The nature and value of these gifts depended
upon the wealth and liberality of the parties who presented them;
some were very splendid, but the offerings of the more humble vo-
taries might perhaps consist of imitations in stone or brass of those
parts of the body which had been relieved from some disease or in-
jury. Many bronze feet of this kind have been found, with a chain
and ring attached to them, by which they were probably suspended
in the temple where they were offered up. Combe's MS. notes.
Height 10 in. Width 6^ in. Length 1 ft. 3 in.
No. 6. This is also a votive foot with a serpent twined round
the ancle with its head resting on the summit. It differs very
slightly from the preceding, and, like it, was probably a votive offer-
ing in some temple of ^Esculapius, deposited in grateful commemo-
ration of a cure performed. Sometimes these votive feet re-
corded the happy return of the votary from a journey or perilous
undertaking, as one has been found inscribed FAVSTOS RE-
DIRE.9 But those entwined with a serpent may safely be con-
7 Livy, xlv. 28. 8 Strabo, xiv. p. 657. 9 Lucernee Mus. Passer, ii. tab. 73.