Roman phallus-shaped pendant from Martberg, 1st to 3rd century AD

Description

Phallus-shaped pendant from the Celtic-Roman temple district of Martberg on the Moselle, 1st to 3rd century AD. The phallic symbol comes in a variety of different shapes and types and was considered an effective means of protecting valuable things (such as horses) from the “evil eye”. These pendants were not worn by humans – there are no graves with phalli as burial objects so far. They were also donated as votive offerings to the gods in temples. Original in copper alloy, length 3.9 cm.