July 2019

Statuette of Aphrodite Homonoia from the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods (Sarapeion) at Thessaloniki

Statuette of Aphrodite Homonoia from the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods (Sarapeion) at Thessaloniki © 2019 YPPOA-AMTh

Statuette of Aphrodite Homonoia made of marble, probably from Thasos, coming from the Sarapeion.

The head, the right arm, the left hand with the end of the object held in it and part of the himation are missing. Aphrodite in a sleeved chiton and himation stands on a semicircular base bearing the inscription ἈφροδείτὉμονοίᾳ / ἱερεὺς Ποντιανός and the date of the Actian era corresponding to AD 182/3.  She held an object in her left hand which should be restored as a cornucopia. The feet of a small figure of Eros are preserved on the rock to the right of Aphrodite; his left arm is preserved attached to the right thigh of the goddess, while her right hand probably rested on the shoulder or the head of Eros. The statuette should be dated after the middle of the 2nd century AD though it reflects a type of the 4th century BC. The monument is a votive statuette of the priest Pontianos to Aphrodite with the cult epithet Homonoia who was co-worshipped at the sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods in Thessaloniki.

The exhibit is located at the exhibition Thessaloniki Metropolis of Macedonia, hall 3.