BUDAPEST
RÉGISÉGEI
XLIX
BUDAPESTI TÖRTÉNETI MÚZEUM
BUDAPEST, 2016
SZERKESZTETTE
HANNY ERZSÉBET
SZERKESZT
BIZOTTSÁG
BENCZE ZOLTÁN
ENDR DI ANNA
FARBAKY PÉTER
ZSIDI PAULA
Lektorálták Bencze Zoltán, Endrődi Anna, Kovács Eszter, Spekner Enikő, Szende László, Zsidi Paula, Wolf Mária,
a rajzokat Csernus Erzsébet, Kolozsvári Krisztián, Kuczogi Zsuzsanna, Láng Orsolya és Lajtos Tamás,
a fotókat Erőss Dóra, Komjáthy Péter, Tihanyi Bence és Tóth Csilla,
az idegen nyelvű kivonatokat a szerzők, illetve Serege Anikó és Horváth Dániel készítették.
Tördelés: AbiPrint Kft.
HU – ISSN 0133–1892
© BUDAPESTI TÖRTÉNETI MÚZEUM, 2016
KIADTA A BUDAPESTI TÖRTÉNETI MÚZEUM
FELEL S KIADÓ: FARBAKY PÉTER F IGAZGATÓ
Nyomdai előkészítés és kivitelezés: Kódex Könyvgyártó Kft.
Felelős vezető: Marosi Attila
Megjelent 300 példányban, Book Antiqua betűkkel
BudRég 49. 2016.
TARTALOM - CONTENT - INHALTVERZEICHNIS
TANULMÁNYOK – STUDIES – STUDIEN
ENDR
ER
DI,
Anna – HORVÁTH M., Attila
Symbolic depictions on Early Bronze Age Vessels from Csepel Island–Budapest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Szimbolikus ábrázolású, kora bronzkori edények Csepel-szigetről . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
15
SS, Dóra – LÁNG, Orsolya
“Birds of a feather”: Peacock – shaped oil Lamp from the Aquincum Civil Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
„Madarat tolláról”: páva alakú olajmécses Aquincum polgárvárosából . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
40
FÉNYES Gabriella
Az aquincumi polgárvárosi Nagy Közfürd f tésrendszerének m ködése és a déli szárny energiafelhasználása. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The heating system of the Great Public Bath in Aquincum Civil Town and energy consumption of the south
wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
VASS, Lóránt
Is that not charming? Fascinum in Aquincum – Protection against Evil Eye. Phallic Amulets in
a Roman City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hát nem elbűvölő? Fascinum Aquincumban – védekezés a gonosz szellem ellen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
77
41
SZIGETI Judit
Csepel „Ófalu” területén végzett telepfeltárás eredményei 1. (10–13. század) – Csepel, Szabadkiköt
út 1-3. Ferroport Kft.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
89
Results of the Excavation on the Area of Csepel „Ófalu” 1. (10th–13th century) – Csepel, Szabadkikötő út 1-3.
Ferroport Kft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
PROHÁSZKA Péter
Árpád-kori templom és temet Regtet n – Gerecze Péter ásatása a Budapest XV. kerületi MÁV–telepen
Eine Kirche mit Friedhof in Regtető aus der Árpádenzeit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
131
143
HORVÁTH Viktória
Színesfém leletek a 14-17. századi budai királyi palotából. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-Ferrous metal findings from the 14th–17th century Royal Palace of Buda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
145
166
GYÖNGYÖSSY Márton
Budai pénzverés 1526 után. Numizmatikai adalék középkor végi pénztörténetünkhöz . . . . . . . . . . .
Die letzten Jahre der mittelalterlichen Münzprägung in Ofen (Buda) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
167
173
MEGEMLÉKEZÉS – COMMEMORATION – GEDÄNKE
BENCZE Zoltán
In Memoriam Holl Imre (1924–2016) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Memoriam Imre Holl (1924–2016). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
177
178
RÖVIDÍTÉSEK – Abbreviations – Abkürzungen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
BUDAPEST RÉGISÉGEI XLIX. 2016.
LÓRÁNT VASS
IS THAT NOT CHARMING?
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE.
PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
INTRODUCTION
Magic as opposite to the official religious beliefs
and practices always benefited from a constant attention since it provided an alternative and more
personal solutions for daily difficulties. Hence,
magic in Roman period became a widely discussed subject in the latest time. Many studies,
books, articles are dealing with the well documented part of this obscure world (i. e. magical
texts, charms, curse tablets etc.) and there are
considerably less which reflect upon simple apotropaic amulets (without any particular magic
text or sign) and analyze them as testimonies of
the same magical belief.1 The aim of this paper is
to put a group of phallic amulets in context and
to examine if a particular amulet group could
provide us any relevant information concerning
magical practices, patterns in the case of an important Pannonian city and its surrounding area.
The analysis of the phallic amulets from Aquincum would rather reflect on the contextual interpretation of the finds and it intends to contribute
to the mapping of magical practices in the Pannonian cities. Meanwhile, it aims to offer a thorough
analysis from a multiple perspective. Beside the
catalogue of the phallic amulets in the collection
of the Aquincum Museum I also put great emphasis on the reconstruction of possible pattern of use
and function of these objects. By a close observation of the find spots and archaeological contexts,
I tried to reflect upon several questions: Were the
wear, and thus the protection against malefic forc-
es limited to a particular sex or age? Were these
phallic amulets worn as single amulets, jewelry
items or they were rather complementary magical tools? Are their use and function related to a
certain culture or population?
1. PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE OR SYMBOL
OF FECUNDITY?
Beside the magical formulae which implied the
knowledge and work of an official expert, magician, the individual protection against evil forces
was also very important. Plutarch mentions that
envy towards other person’s happiness, luck, fortune by the glance of an evil eye may produce
harm (death, bad luck) not only to the related
person but also to his belongings and beloved
ones.2 According to the ancient perception, the
eye which is linked to the soul, fills up easily with
envy. The emanation of eye is very strong, and the
picture perceived by it is able to provoke joy or
pain in the same time. Hence, a simple envious
look may harmfully manipulate any individual,
even involuntary.3 Evil eye (oculus malignus) which
endanger all categories of people, but especially
innocent and unprotected little children, was often depicted on the walls of public and private
buildings, gardens, aqueducts, mosaics etc.4 The
2
3
4
1
Among the studies which were focusing on the contextual, social
or magical interpretation of the amulets, we should mention
the interesting studies of Véronique Dasen (DASEN 2003a; DASEN
2003b; DASEN 2015) which were mainly concentrating on the link
between infancy and magical protection in Antiquity. Among
the first articles which offer an archaeological analyisis of the
phallic amulets and a thorough typology based on morphology
the study dedicated to the phallic amulets from Hispania
should be noticed (DEL HOYO–VÁZQUES HAYS 1996). Other studies
about this particular type of amulets were focusing whether
on a particular object from a site (TIMOFAN 2005) or on a larger
region (CORTI 2001.; MOSER 2006).
MORALIA. 681 E, 682F–683A.
About the notion of evil eye, see DEL HOYO–VÁZQUES HAYS 1996.
445–448.; CORTI 2001. 72–73.; TIMOFAN 2005. 205. About the
apotropaic significance of the phallic amulets as it is resulted
from the texts and pictures, see MOSER 2006.
Phallic representation on carvings, or other architectural
elements are quite popular in Italy, especially in Pompeii
and Herculaneum (CORTI 2001. 73). In Pompeii, for instance, a
plaque with an erected phallus with the inscription Hic habitat
felicitas was placed above an oven. According to V. Dasen
the inscription and the phallus had a double significance: it
provided protection against evil forces and incited the bread
to rise (DASEN 2015. 185). Representations of phalli on carvings
and in public places was also very common in Roman Britain
and in the province of Hispania. They were mainly reported
from military sites in Britain (PARKER 2016) while in Hispania
they were figured on all types of monuments (walls, bridges,
aqueducts etc). See: DEL HOYO –VÁZQUES HAYS 1996. 448–449.
63
LÓRÁNT VASS
iconography of these depictions followed the illustration of the protection against the evil eye.
The phallus was considered to be the most efficient weapon in averting the damages provoked
by the evil eye. V. Dasen reminds that in the
Graeco–Roman world phallus was equated with
a weapon in collective imaginary based on linguistic evidences.5 The efficacy of the erect phallus which was able to block, distract and to avert
the stare of the evil eye was explained by ancient
authors with the natural obscenity and shocking
constitute of the sign.6 The erect phallus is also a
sacred symbol which is one of the main attributes
of Priapus, the god of fecundity, fertility, hence it
can be related to the official religious practices as
well. Beside the protection against malefic spirits
the phallus symbolized also the natural procreative power and potency. Meanwhile, in ancient
sources phalli are associated, with another god,
Fascinus. According to Varro he was the protective god of little boys who wore phalli (turpicula
res) on their neck. Fascinus benefited from a large
popularity in Rome as he assured the security
in the city. His cult was entrusted in the care of
the Vestals who attached the image of the god on
the underside of triumphal carriages during processions of imperators in order to protect them
against envy.7 The image of an erect phallus was,
as illustrated above, omnipotent in the everyday
life of the Romans and they embodied a truly
apotropaic character. As part of Priapus cult, they
were often placed at the entrances to the gardens
(satyrica signa), and they were meant to assure
protection against thieves.8
For averting the aforementioned dangers and
unwanted magical power, ancient people wore
amulets in the shape of an erect phallus on their
neck. They were called in ancient sources fascinum
as they embodied the virile power of Fascinus,
although this term referred mainly to the shape
of the pendant.9 Since innocent and unprotected
children were subjected to greater danger of the
5
6
7
8
9
DASEN 2015. 185.
“Perhaps it is from this that a certain indecent object (turpicula res)
that is hung on the necks of boys (pueris), to prevent harm from coming to them, ne quid obsit is called a scaeuola, on account of the fact
that scaeua is good.” – Varro, De lingua Latina, 7.97, apud DASEN
2015. 186.
NATHIST. XXVIII, 7.
NATHIST. XIX, 19. Priapus inflicted the thieves a sexual penalty
using his erect phallus (DASEN 2015. 187).
Since the majority of amulets were attached to the body, most
of the terms used for naming amulets in Antiquity was derived
from this issue related to use: ligatura (”attached”), praebia (term
met at Varro, meaning to ”provide”) or remedia (”remedies”)
which reflect the medical aspect of magical pendants (DASEN
2015. 185). See also CORTI 2001. 74.
64
evil eye, the use of the phallic amulets, alone
or together with other magical pendants, was a
highly recommended security arrangement.10
2. MAGICAL PRACTICES IN AQUINCUM
Practices and aspects related to magic in the territory of the two settlements of Aquincum were the
subject of some papers and studies so far. These
were dealing mostly with the better documented
side of the Roman magic: the exquisite curse tablets11 or lamella with magical text.12 Amulets were
analyzed only in one broader study which dealt
with the late Roman bulla type pendants from
Aquincum and which delivered interesting information about the use and function of this amulet
type.13
In the present paper 18 phallic amulets/pendants manufactured of various raw materials
were analyzed. Although this moderate number
represent the total amount of such pendants from
the two towns of Aquincum and the surrounding
settlements (Albertfalva), they were undoubtedly
in greater number.14
Other depiction of phallus with the same apotropaic significance, except for the pendants, are
very few in the analyzed area. Unlike in western
provinces and Italy where phallus appear frequently as a guarding element on all type of architectural features (markets, dwelling walls, aqueducts, frescos etc.), in Aquincum or in Albertfalva
10
11
12
13
14
The recommendation of ancient authors to protect infants
with apotropaic amulets seems that it was a general practice
in the Roman period. Most of the uncovered phallic amulets
were found in the graves of infants all around the Empire. See:
DASEN 2003a and 2003b; CRUMMY 2010.; GAGETTI 2007.
There were found three lead curse tablets in the eastern cemetery of the Civil Town from Aquincum. See: BARTA–LASSÁNYI
2009.; BARTA–LASSÁNYI 2015.
NÉMETH 2006. A gold lamella used against migraine was also
recovered from the territory of Aquincum. See: KOTANSKY ET
ALII 2015.
SZILÁGYI 2005.
In the inventory books of the Aquincum Museum more phallic
amulets were identified: two bronze examples from the Roman
vicus of Albertfalva (inv.no. 57.64.35; and 2001.4.2) and another
one from the early settlements of Víziváros (inv.no. 97.1.11064). I
did not manage to include them in the present repertory for objective reasons. The inventory numbers of the amulets from the
vicus of Albertfalva did not match with the small finds record.
The one from Víziváros was recovered from a context dated to
the medieval time, and there was no evidence for its Roman
date, even if morphologically it resembled well with the Roman
items. Lajos Nagy in his monograph about the headquarter of
the firemen’s association mentions that larger and more „ornamented” bronze phalli were recovered from Aquincum (NAGY
L. 1944. 197). Unfortunately he does not comment the find spot
and does not give any description either. Since the majority
of the material from the old excavations were lost during the
WWII, these items had possibly the same destiny.
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
Delimiting types in the case of phallic amulets is
very problematic, or rather uncomfortable. Since
the majority follows more or less the same iconographical type: erect phallus with the scrotum and
the glans, defining types based on morphology
is very hard. However, for an easier administration of the finds, I established a typology based on
merely practical aspects. Beside the clear morphological change the main criteria for the delimi-
tation was the position of suspension rings/holes
in rapport to the axis of the phallus. The shape,
dimension and position of these suspension holes
determine the way of use, and in particular cases,
the function of the objects. Although I established
four different types (Tab. 1), the pendants from
Aquincum and the surrounding settlements does
not represent the same variety that one can find
in the western provinces.21
Three different sized and shaped amulets belong to type 1 (Fig. 6.; Fig. 9. 1–3.) which is composed of three subtypes. Amulets of type 1 are
usually flat and they depict not only the erect
phallus but also the male genital area in a very
schematic (trapezoidal or crescent shaped) manner. The representation shows similarities with
the shape of votive phalli often found in sanctuaries as a sign of gratitude. The suspension rings of
type 1 A (Fig. 6. 1.; Fig. 9. 1.) and 1 C (Fig. 6. 3.; Fig.
9. 3.) amulets is set perpendicular to the pendant’s
axis, while in the case of type 1 B (Fig. 6. 2.; Fig. 9.
2.), the tiny suspension hole was drilled into the
upper side of the genital part. While in the latter two cases the larger dimensioned suspension
rings enabled the pendants to hang freely from
a necklace or from any other furniture elements,
the small drilled hole of type 1 B amulet was designed to be worn as a bead with other necklace
elements, as the find context attests (Tab. 2. 2). The
most interesting object of this group is the small–
sized amulet made of animal bone. (Fig. 6. 2.; Fig.
9. 2) In contrast to the other examples of type 1,
the phallus here is flaccid and instead of getting
larger at the glans it is progressively tapering.
This amulet also resembles the votive phallic objects which were offered to the healing gods as a
sign of gratitude for the cure of impotency. The
usage as healing, medical amulet for treating impotency, however, seem improbable since it was
a composing element of a crepundia22 worn by an
infant.
Type 1 C amulet, judging by its shape and size
was a harness pendant. The shape of this element
is composed of a double crescent form (lunulae)
which offered a very schematic depiction of the
15
21
they were figured only on a couple of utilitarian
or cultic objects. (Fig. 5.) A small ceramic beaker
(Fig. 5. 2.) with a spout15 in the shape of an erect
phallus as well as a terra sigillata bowl16 (Drag
18/31 type – Fig. 5. 3.) with an incised phallus
under the rim recovered from the Military Town
illustrate well the urge to protect the domestic, intimate environment from evil charms and spells.
Religious relics or other testimonies related to the
cult of Priapus in Aquincum are very rare. K. Szirmai in her work about the Silvanus and Priapus
depictions managed to collect only one statue of
Priapus which was recovered from the legionary
fortress.17 Another depiction of the god with the
typical erect phallus is a fragmentary terracotta
statue18 with unknown provenance. Except for
these two cult statues other evidences regarding
the worship of the god of masculine virility, are
not known. A very interesting object with phallus depiction is a large–sized (over 15 cm long) ceramic phallus. It was recovered from the industrial area of Aquincum Military Town, among kilns
which were producing ceramic building material.19 The unusually large phallus with the detailed
depiction of the glans most resembles the ceramic
votive phallic objects,20 but one cannot exclude the
possibility either that it was a protective talisman
attached to gardens, similar to the priapic signs,
or to a public building (workshop), which would
provide protection for the individual workers of
the kilns or for the business, averting the stare of
the evil eye.
3. PHALLIC PENDANTS FROM AQUINCUM —
TYPOLOGY
16
17
18
19
20
The beaker has an unknown provenance. LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR 2009.
cat.no. 1170.
The terra sigillata sherd with the phallus depiction was
initially recorded as a bowl fragment with a Hermes key. The
proper interpretation of the sign was given by B. Fehér – FEHÉR
2010. 8., 7. kép.
SZIRMAI 2007. 49., cat. no. 11, 12.kép.
LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR 2009. cat. no. 1169.
FACSÁDY 1997.
Similar clay votive phalli (6 pieces) are known from Savaria
(Szombathely). – POMPEJI 2016. 187. cat. no. 256.
22
The di–, or triphallic amulets, popular in other parts (DEL
HOYO–VÁZQUES HAYS 1996. 466), or the phallic amulets in fist and
phallus style, a very frequent type in Roman Britain and especially in Colchester (GREEP 1996. 139–140) were not reported in
Aquincum so far.
The Latin term of crepundia initially was the general term for
toys or rattles (as the verb itselfs means `to rattle`) used by
infants. Later, it bacame the name of the special necklaces
composed of different magical amulets which were given to
children to protect them against the evil eye or other malefic
forces. See: DASEN 2003b.
65
LÓRÁNT VASS
genital part and as magical symbol it increased
the apotropaic power of the talisman even more.
Amulets of type 1 are quite well known objects
in other provinces too and they were recovered
from infant graves, civilian or military contexts.23
Amulets of type 2 (Fig. 7. 4–9; Fig. 9. 4–9.) are
in the greatest number in the collection of the
Aquincum Museum and they represent the most
popular phallic amulet types in the Roman Empire between the first and third centuries AD.
They are depicting an erect phallus with straight
(Fig. 7. 4, 6, 9; Fig. 9. 4, 6, 9.) or curved body (Fig. 7.
5, 7, 8; Fig. 9. 5, 7, 8.) with the scrotum on one of
the terminal. Except for Type 2 B, each amulet has
a suspension ring (4–11 mm) attached in the same
line with the phallus body. Judging by the dimensions of the suspension rings, they were probably
hung as singular apotropaic talismans on leather
straps or rack as they were placed in the center
of gravity of the objects making uncomfortable
to wear them on a necklace (at least in the case
of the larger examples). Due to the position of the
suspension ring once hung, they would figure an
erect phallus in a natural, anatomical way, on a
horizontal level. The glans is well contoured in
every situation. In some of the cases the scrotum
are overemphasized and they are depicted as two,
larger–sized globular projections. (Fig. 7. 6, 8; Fig.
9. 6, 8.) They are small to medium size, ranging
between 23 and 43 mm in length. In spite of the
differing dimensions amulets of type 2 represent
a quite standard group which was manufactured
using a common iconographic model. All of the
pendants from this type are made of bronze and
most of them were recovered from Aquincum
Military Town and the vicus from Albertfalva.
Amulet type 2 B (Fig. 7. 9; Fig. 9. 9.) is the only pendant which was manufactured from animal bone
and had a suspension hole instead of a ring, placed
above the scrotum. The unusual short body, the
overemphasized glans and meatus, the careless
technical execution of the object may argue for an
23
Type 1 A: Aquileia, Tarragona, Trier etc. For further analogies,
see the online collection of the similar objects offered by Artefacts. Encyclopédie des petits objects archéologiques (http://artefacts.
mom.fr/en/result.php?id=AMP–4003&find=amp–4003&pagenum=1&affmode=vign). Hispania: DEL HOYO–VÁZQUES HAYS
1996. 452, 466 (illustration, no. 1); Pannonia: Savaria (1st–2nd c.
AD.): MRÁV 2013. 126, cat. no. 8.87.; Dacia: Porolissum (2nd–3rd
c. AD.): GUDEA 1989. Pl. CCXIX/1–4. Type 1 B: Pannonia: unknown provenance – POMPEJI 2016. 185, cat. No. 250–251. Type
1 C: Arras (Gallia – inhumation grave), Les Mureaux (Gallia),
Srijemska Mitrovica, Sirmium (Pannonia), Verona (Italia).
The analogies collected on http://artefacts.mom.fr/en/result.php?id=AMP–4016&find=amp–4016&pagenum=1&affmode=vign, are dated to the 3rd– and first half of the 4th centuries AD.
66
ad–hoc manufacture in domestic condition. Type 2
amulets are wide–spread in the provinces of the
Roman Empire as well in Pannonia.24
Type 3 (Fig. 7. 10–11; Fig. 9. 10–11.) displays almost the same morphological features as type 2
amulets. The only difference is that the suspension ring was attached to the end of the phallus
with the same line of the body. In both cases, the
suspension ring contained other smaller and thinner bronze rings and they were more reduced in
size (4 mm). This would indicate that they could
be also used as necklace elements since their
hanging, “vertical” mechanism would enhance
their wear.
Pendants belonging to type 4 (Fig. 8; Fig. 9.
12–17) show a totally different iconography and
hanging mechanism. In contrast to the former
types, the erect phallus is figured in a very schematic manner. The shaft is rhomboidal shaped
which is tapering progressively towards the
glans. On the other extremity, in the same line
with the phallus, the scrotum appears in the
form of two flat projections. What is utterly interesting in the iconography, is the way the glans
was depicted. At the former types glans appear
as a widening, well contoured projection without foreskin. In the case of type 4, especially of
type 4 A (Fig. 8. 12–14; Fig. 9. 12–14.) the glans is
figured as a very reduced, flat and narrow terminal. The rhomboidal shape, the tapering and
narrow end resemble the male genital depictions
from classic Greek statues, or with certain Priapus representations on Pompeian frescoes.25 As
we know, in Antiquity phimosis, or the inability
to retract the foreskin covering the glans, was a
known venereal disorder.26 The tapering narrow
end of type 4 A pendants are very similar with
the shape of the narrow foreskin of male genitals suffering from this dysfunctionality. If these
artifacts were used as healing amulets against
24
25
26
Aquileia (Italia), Saalburg, Mainz, Trier (Germania), Carlisle,
Chester, Colchester, South Shields, Verulamium (Britannia)
etc – http://artefacts.mom.fr/en/result.php?id=AMP–4013&fi
nd=phallus&pagenum=1&affmode=vign (analogies dated
to the 1st–3rd c.). Dacia: Apulum (TIMOFAN 2005.); Porolissum
(GUDEA 1989. Pl. CCXIX/5–6); Pannonia: Savaria, Iseum, 2 nd
c. (MRÁV 2003. 126, cat. No. 8.86, 8.88); Hispania (DEL HOYO–
VÁZQUES HAYS 1996. 452, 466, fig. 2–2.1), Limes sector: Saalburg,
Straubing (OLDENSTEIN 1976. Taf. 42/403, 406–407). In Braintree.
in the province of Britannia there was found a unique golden
phallic amulet (JOHN–WISE 2003). For other phallic amulets and
for their use in Britannia, see CRUMMY 2010. and PLOUVIEZ 2005.
A good example for this is the famous Priapus depiction from
the fresco from the House of Vetti.
For the detailed description of the disorder with references to
ancient medical sources, especially to the work of Celsus, see:
HODGES 1999.
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
sexual disorders, intended to cure or avert impotency and to increase sexual, and thus procreative power, is very hard to asset in the lack of
evidences. As a hypothesis, however, it should
be also taken into account. Another possibility
could be that in this case the aesthetic urge has
overcome the traditional magical iconography of
phallic amulets, since these little pendants were
used as jewellery items, beads, as the small circular suspension holes from the lateral sides and
other pendants from the same graves suggest.
Thus the altering shape of the phalli is in fact an
intentional schematized figure of the male genital organ adapted to the aesthetic needs of the
bead. Although type 4 B pendants (Fig. 8. 15–16.;
Fig. 9. 15–16.) are depicted in similar style, and
they were also worn on necklace together with
other magical pendants, here the glans are very
well contoured; in one case even the meatus is
figured. (Fig. 8. 16.; Fig. 9. 16.)
Since phallic amulets from type 4 were used
mainly as crepundia elements or simple jewelry
items with magical connotation, designed to be
worn on the neck, they were all manufactured of
non–metallic raw material. They were made from
three different materials: animal bone (Fig. 8/12,
16; Fig. 9/12, 16), amber (the only pendant type
made of amber (Fig. 6. 13–14; Fig. 9. 13–14, 17.) and
ceramic (Fig. 8. 15; Fig. 9. 15.), magical substances
by their own right.
A small bronze phallic amulet (Fig. 9. 18.) which
does not fit into any of the established types I decided to treat it separately. Recovered from a rich
cremation burial of a female individual (Tab. 2.
18.), it represents another example for schematization. The phallus as well as the elongated scrotum
part is flat, unlike the examples from previous
types. It lacks (or it was broken) any kind of suspension device, although it was recovered beside
other pendants. No analogies were found for it so
far.
4. R AW MATERIAL
The choice of raw material in the case of magical
amulets is not necessarily determined by practical reasons, like at other utilitarian objects. The
shape and the magical symbol of the object together with the raw material type defined the
efficacy of an apotropaic amulet or pendant. In
Antiquity different materials had their magical
significance. The amber, for instance, was very
efficient in the prevention of delirium, and Pliny
the Elder reminds that attached to the body as
an amulet, it was very benefic for infants.27 Gold
is also recommended by the author for the protection of infants against the malefic powers of
sorcery.28 Different parts of animals, the animal
bones, or antler were used as remedies against a
lot of diseases.29
The phallic amulets from Aquincum and Albertfalva were also manufactured from different
materials (Fig. 1) which were meant to increase
the protective power of the talismans. The majority of the pendants are of bronze, while a considerable part was made of animal long bone or
antler. A single ceramic pendant completes the
spectrum of materials. While bronze pendants
were used in most of the cases as separate talismans, the amber, ceramic, and bone amulets were
often worn on the same necklace boosting, hence,
the magical protection. Amulets made of bronze
benefited from a wide distribution in Aquincum
and Albertfalva being recovered from both civilian and military contexts. The amber, bone and
ceramic, however were almost exclusively limited
to funerary contexts (Tab. 2), to female or infant
graves which is due to their special form.
5. FIND SPOT – A CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
Concerning the spatial distribution (Fig. 4) of
the different phallic amulets recovered from the
towns of Aquincum and in other Roman settlements around them, one can observe an interesting pattern (Fig. 2). The majority of the amulets (8
examples) were unearthed within the perimeter
of Aquincum Military Town or from the cemeteries adjacent to it. The Civil Town is represented
by only four object out of which almost all the examples were found in the inventories of different
graves at the early cemetery of the civilian settlement. Although it did not belong to the urban territorium of Aquincum, and it preserved its distinct
status, the auxiliary fort and vicus from Albertfalva has delivered the second most numerous (5
pieces) phallic amulet material from the collection
of the Aquincum Museum. If we consider the nature of the find contexts, we can state that most
of the phallic amulets, regardless of the material
they were manufactured of, or the topographical
unit, were found in funerary contexts, as invento27
28
29
”It is benefi cial for infants also, attached to the body in the form of
an amulet; and, according to Callistratus, it is good for any age, as
a preventive of delirium and as a cure for strangury, either taken in
drink or attached as an amulet to the body.” (NATHIST. XXXVII, 12).
NATHIST. XXXV, 25.
NATHIST.VIII.50; XXVIII. 49; XXX.47
67
LÓRÁNT VASS
ries of the cemeteries. In this concern, they reflect
the general tendencies observed in the other parts
of the Roman Empire, and it may underline the
specific and personal character of these objects
as a main protective employment against evil, regardless of the social categories.
Although in the special literature, small phallic
amulets are frequently discussed as typical military accessories,30 in the case of Aquincum there
are only two items which were clearly recovered
from military forts: no. 5 (Fig. 7. 5.; Fig. 9. 7.) from
the legionary fortress and no. 11 (Fig. 7. 11.; Fig.
9. 11.) from the auxiliary fort from Albertfalva.
The remaining objects were all recovered either
from urban or funerary contexts which claims
for a mostly civilian use. Unfortunately, we did
not have any information at our disposal concerning the exact find context from the legionary
fort, thus the attribution of the amulet to a certain
phenomenon, inhabitant is not possible. The same
situation is valid for the phallic amulet found in
the military camp at Albertfalva since it was recovered from a context related to the defensive
structure of the fort.
The relatively high number of phallic amulets
from Albertfalva may be partially explained by
the current state of art, since the auxiliary fort
and vicus from Albertfalva are one of the most
intensively researched Roman settlements and
military forts in the perimeter of nowadays Budapest. This Roman settlement has been researched
from the late 1940’s until present time.31 Due to the
intensive field researches, many parts of the military fort and the surrounding vicus have been unearthed and the evolution of the vicus was mostly
reconstructed. According to our latest knowledge,
the auxiliary fort has been built during the reign
of Vespasian towards the end of the first century
A. D. This is the period when the vicus started to
develop, different parcels were measured and delimited by ditches in the northern part, and many
rectangular semi–sunken pit houses with rounded corners (dwellings or buildings with economic
30
31
Since in Roman Britain and at the limes sector along the
Rhine phallic amulets are very frequent in military forts
and sites, these were usually associated with the military.
However, J. Oldenstein assets that these phallic amulets,
which Kropatschek named “Limesphalli”, were rather personal
apotropaic amulets worn by soldiers or hung on carriages than
official elements of the military equipment (OLDENSTEIN 1976.
158–159).
NAGY T. 1948.; SZIRMAI 1995.; SZIRMAI 1999.; BESZÉDES 2005.; BESZÉDES
2007.; BESZÉDES 2009. For a detailed summary of the results
and an up–to–date interpretation of th field observation, see:
BESZÉDES 2011.
68
function) have been erected32. Only the western
part of the vicus seems to be inhabited later, during the reign of Trajan or Hadrian. The vicus has
been continuously inhabited until the mid 3rd c.
A.D, although the peak of its existence dates to the
1st–2nd c. A. D. The special literature considers the
northern segment of the vicus the industrial, economic area where most of the economic buildings
and workshops have been placed, while the western and southern part housed the richer stone
dwellings and public buildings. However, new
researches have pointed out that the northern
part of the vicus served also as living area of the
inhabitants.33 The majority of the phallic amulets
from Albertfalva were recovered from the northern and western part of the vicus and only one
example was reported from the defensive system
of the auxiliary fort. Judging by the find context
of the objects, we can assume that these amulets
had a civilian, personal use. The amulet manufactured of bone (Fig. 7. 9.; Fig. 9. 9.) was found in
the northern part of the vicus in a typical rectangular semi–sunken pit house with rounded corners which was most probably used as a dwelling
as the inventory of the pit house may also suggest (bronze pin, house ceramic ware, terra sigillata fragments, lamps (Firmalampen), fragments
of Pannonische Glanztonware etc).34 Another amulet
(Fig. 7. 7.; Fig. 9. 7.) was recovered also around a pit
feature belonging to the same chronological unit.
Concerning the western, “richer” part of the vicus, we do not have precise information concerning the find context. The only data we have about
the find spot of amulet no. 1 (Fig. 7. 1.; Fig. 9. 1.) is
that it was recovered from the König’s property in
the late 1940’s during the excavations carried out
by Tibor Nagy.35 Without the exact indication of
the context we can just presume that it was recovered from one of the eight stone buildings (I–VIII),
probably dwelling–houses, unearthed in the territory of König’s property. So, the civilian use of the
apotropaic amulet is again highly probable. The
only phallic amulet found in a military context
in Albertfalva is an amulet made of bronze. (Fig.
7. 11.; Fig. 9. 11.) This object was recovered from
a context related to the defensive system of the
fort and we have no evidence that it might have
32
33
34
35
BESZÉDES 2011. 64–65.
BESZÉDES 2011.
I would like to thank József Beszédes for the information
and for letting me analyze the unpublished amulets from the
newer excavations.
About the result of the excavations, see NAGY T. 1948.
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
belonged to a soldier or to other person from the
military environment.
Compared to the Military Town or the Roman
settlement from Albertfalva, Aquincum Civilian Town provides only a few phallic amulets (4
pieces), out of which except for one example, all
of them were recovered from graves. The relative small number of amulets in the territory of
the Civil Town may be explained by the scarce
documentation methods of old excavations carried out in the beginning of the last centuries and
by the chaotic political situation during the World
Wars when many of the small finds recovered
from the urban buildings of the town has disappeared. This inadequate documentation method
caused serious headache in the identification of
one phallic amulet from the collection. (Fig. 7. 4.;
Fig. 9. 4) In two publications this artifact was published as a late Roman, 4th c. object recovered from
a female grave in the Military Town.36 However,
the same object (with the same size and style)
was previously mentioned and described in the
monograph of the collegium centonariorum excavations in Civil Town carried out by Lajos Nagy in
193137 which seems to be the initial correct record
of the find. The findspot of this amulet has a great
relevance in the interpretation of use. The collegium centonariorum, the headquarter of the firemen’s guild housed the world famous hydraulic
org which took part of the collegium’s inventory
36
37
We can observe a clearly confusing situation in the case of the
two publications (LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR 2009. cat. no. 409, and PARRAGI
1993. 318, 4.kép/5.). Györgyi Parragi who published the grave
material of the late 4th c. burials from the Vihar Street–Szél
Street from the Military Town, excavated by Lajos Nagy,
the same person who lead the excavations in the collegium
centonariorum in 1931 too, might have probably published
involuntary wrong the find material already mixed up prior
her research (PARRAGI 1993). The catalogue of the Visual Store
from Aquincum took over the same erroneous data from Gy.
Parragi. The picture of the object was accidentally reversed
with the following phallic amulet (no. 5 in our catalogue) in
the catalogue (LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR 2009. cat. no. 409 instead of no.
410).
NAGY L. 1944. 197, no. 4.; Pl. XLII/2. Judging by the ‘evidences’
and the right chronological order it seems the respective amulet
has been unearthed from the headquarters of the firemen
from the Civilian Town for several reasons: 1. The excavation
as well as the publication of Lajos Nagy with the description
and picture of the object was earlier than the aforementioned
publication. 2. If Gy. Parragi would have been right, then this
amulet would be the only phallic pendant dated to the 4th
century in the territory of Aquincum which would contradict
to the general chronology of these amulets. 3. Contrary to the
intensive documentation work, I did not manage to find two
identical (in size and style) phallic amulets in the collection
of the museum. The same size and style would be more than
a coincidence. 4. There are other small finds published by
Gy. Parragi in the same article which appear in Lajos Nagy’s
monograph (PARRAGI 1993. 324., 3. kép 11).
and which landed in the cellar after the building
has been collapsed. According to the archaeological observations, the phallic amulet was recovered from the neighboring room (room V) where
a fragment of a statue depicting Minerva was also
found.38 If this room functioned as a sacellum is
impossible to determine, but the urge to protect
the room, or the owner who might have lost it in
the room, against harmful charms was of a great
importance even beside the protection of the goddess.
The other three amulets from the perimeter of
the Civil Town are coming from the early, western cemetery of the town, along the Aranyhegyi
Stream. Two amber amulets were recovered from
the same grave. (Tab. 2. 13., 17) Since this grave
was unearthed likewise in the first half of the last
century, no documentation or record of the grave
or finds is accessible. The only data I could rely on
is a picture published by Lajos Nagy in the same
monograph of the collegium centonariorum where
he mentions the amber finds as analogies for the
bronze phallic amulet from his excavation.39 Judging by the pictures, the amber phallic amulets
were a part of a crepundia with other apotropaic
elements which formed a protective necklace for
the wearer. Information related to the sex, age of
the defunct or the date of the burial have not been
preserved.40 We are much luckier with the bone
phallic amulet (Fig. 6. 2.; Fig. 9. 2.) recovered from
the same cemetery but from a new archaeological
campaign carried out by Gábor Lassányi in 2005.41
Due to the up–to–date archaeological methods
and recording system, we know that this amulet, among other amber, bone, glass tiny amulets
which formed again a crepundium was recovered
from the cremation grave of a little child of about
two years old. Judging by the same style, material and components of the protective necklaces
(crepundia) from both graves we can presume that
38
39
40
41
NAGY L. 1944. 186., 196.
NAGY L. 1944. Pl. XLIII. I managed to identify in the collection
most of the amber amulets of the crepundium, however they
were recorded wrongly as finds from the western cemetery
of the Military Town. On the respective plate three amber
phallic amulets can be seen, out of which only two have been
preserved, one of them in a fragmentary state.
Lajos Nagy in the brief description of the cemetery along the
Aranyhegyi Stream, except for a map of the cemetery, does
not mention individual burials or the find material. Since
the majority of the finds have been scattered through the last
decades, there is almost impossible to identify the small finds
from these grave. NAGY L. 1942.
LASSÁNYI–BECHTOLD 2006. 75., 2. kép.
69
LÓRÁNT VASS
a common practice concerning the use and wear
of apotropaic amulets has existed.42
Compared to the former settlements, the Military Town from Aquincum provides not only the
most numerous phallic pendant material, but it
ranges the most varied find contexts as well. One
amulet made of bronze (Fig. 7. 5.; Fig. 9. 5.) was recovered from the 2nd–3rd c. legionary fortress AD.
but without further indication of the context. In
the perimeter of the most inhabited parts of the
canabae we have only one amulet which has been
recovered from the southwestern part of the settlement. The excavations at this spot did not captured
any massive Roman layer that could be linked to
a well–defined structure, and only different layers
mixed with Roman material and a waste pit have
been documented.43 All the other examples were
unearthed from the southern periphery of the
canabae and from different burials, especially from
the largest cemetery of the Military Town along
the Bécsi Road. The southernmost part of the canabae benefited from an intensive landuse, which
functioned as a habitual area beginning with the
late LaTéne period up until the 4th c. AD.44 One
bone phallic amulet (Fig. 8. 12.; Fig. 9. 12.) has come
to light in this area from a pit feature which might
have been used as a dwelling or garbage pit in the
1st – 3rd c. AD. As mentioned before, the majority of
the amulets have come to light from the western
cemetery of the Aquincum Military Town along
the Bécsi Road. For most of the amulets we do not
have enough information regarding the exact find
spots since two of the graves were unearthed during an old excavation carried out by Lajos Nagy
at 82 Bécsi Road in 1936.45 The documentation as
well as most of the material have not been preserved. Thus Judit Topál in her monograph about
the western cemetery of the Military Town managed to reconstruct the find contexts only partially.46 All of the pendants came to light from cremation burials (Tab. 2). In one case, two amulets made
from different material were found in the grave of
42
43
44
45
46
For the information regarding the find contexts, I would like
to thank to Gábor Lassányi. The thorough analysis of the
crepundia from this grave and from Aquincum will compose
the subject of another study. Therefore, in this study I used the
information which was relevant for the present subject.
BUGÁN 1999.
HABLE 2003.
The excavations from this period were included in the general
monograph of the western cemetery published in 2003. TOPÁL
2003. 89–110.
Many of the objects recovered during this old excavation
has been already lost by the time the monograph has been
published. TOPÁL 2003. 94, grave 1/1937/12 = 52; and 109, grave
no. 1/1937/30 = 70.
70
an adult woman together with other pendants and
grave goods. (Tab. 2. 10, 15.) Another phallic amulet manufactured of antler (Fig. 8. 16.; Fig. 9. 16.)
was recovered from an infant burial in the same
cemetery,47 while a bronze pendant (Fig. 9. 18.) of
the same type was collected from a very rich female cremation grave in the southernmost part of
the cemetery.48
6. CHRONOLOGY
Judging by the chronology of the individual finds,
it seems that this particular type of pendant benefited from a large period of use. Phallic amulets
are present in the material culture of the two cities from Aquincum and the neighbouring settlements beginning with the late 1st up until the 3rd
century AD. The different pendant types (Tab. 1)
established by me do not mark different chronological evolutions, since all the types were used
simultaneously from the 1st to the 3rd centuries.
However, a certain trend in the use can be still
pointed out. Two time sequences can be distinguished when the phallic amulets benefited from
the most intensive use: 1. 1st–2nd c. AD and 2. 2nd–3rd
c. The proportion between them is nearly equal,
so real and utterly delimited periods cannot be established. The wide time range of the objects can
be explained by the general dating of the find contexts where the objects were recovered from. The
few amulets with a more precise chronology all
indicate the 2nd c. AD as the main period of use.
Although no chronological evolution could be
established for the different phallic amulet types
in Aquincum, it seems that the use of amulets
made of a certain raw material was still limited
in time. All amulet items manufactured of amber
have an early date, being recovered from contexts
dated to the 1st – 2nd centuries AD. This could be
explained by the vivid amber trade in the earlier
periods along the traditional Amber Road which
could have even supplied Aquincum with amber
products from Aquileia. Taking into account the
fact that all of these objects were recovered from
cremation burials from the cemeteries of the Civil
and Military Town, they could also indicate the
cultural influences of the early inhabitants of Ital47
48
The excavations from 2005, at 64 Bécsi Road were carried out
by Péter Vámos to whom I would like to express my gratitude
for the information and for letting me publish the amulet.
The excavation from 1995 identified earlier (2nd c. AD) burials
of the same cemetery with rich graveyards and lavish funerary
monuments. The excavation lead by Annamária Facsády
unearthed a very rich cremation burial (grave no. 11) of a
female defunct. FACSÁDY 1996. 17–18.
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
ian origins in the two cities from Aquincum. The
use of amulets manufactured of other raw materials seems not to be limited in time, the intensity
of their use being determined rather by personal
choice and the magical significance the material
embodied.
The earliest amulet items were recovered from
the cemeteries of the two Aquincum towns. The
objects recovered from the towns are dated to
2nd–3rd c. AD, the period when the development of
both towns was on their peak. More objects dated
to the early 1st–2nd c. AD were unearthed from the
vicus from Albertfalva. Their earlier date could be
linked to the general chronological evolution of
the settlement.
The fashion of phallic amulets as apotropaic,
protective pendants seems to fade towards the
second half of the 3rd c., and there are no pieces
which could be dated to the 4th c. AD. This might
be explained hypothetically by the religious, cultural changes what Christianity has represented
when the protection against evil eye lost its relevance.
7. USE AND FUNCTION
Since the border between the magical and purely
utilitarian use of amulets is impossible to delimit,
the exact use and function of pendants depicting
an erect phallus is very hard to determine. Judging by their shapes and their attaching methods,
most of the amulets might have been used as pendants, worn on necklaces (type 1–3) or attached
to different furniture/carriage elements. (type 1C
– Fig. 6. 3.; Fig. 9. 3.) One cannot exclude the possibility that certain phallic amulets, such as type 4
(cat. no. 12–17.) might have had an additional aesthetic value as well, and they were worn also as
jewelry elements.
In the reconstruction of many of the aforementioned issues the only sources we can rely on
are the data provided by different burials which
mark only the final stage of an objects bias or
they just indicate an imaginary representation
of the defunct. Judging by a thorough analysis
of the funerary contexts, and the association of
grave goods with sex and age (Tab. 2), it could be
stated that phallic amulets were worn mainly by
women and children in Aquincum. At least, as
the burial context it may suggest. Unfortunately,
all of the objects were found in cremation burials,
and thorough anthropological analyses could not
be made. Hence, the sex and the age of the infant
deceases are not known (Tab. 2. 16). Judging by
the accompanying grave good, the wear of phallic amulets, regardless of the material they were
manufactured of, was not limited to a certain social stratum. The majority of the cremation burials contain hardly any other grave goods (Tab. 2)
that could be relevant from a social perspective.
In one case, in the cremation burial of a possible
female person from the western cemetery of the
Military Town (Tab. 2. 18) the rich accompanying
finds (silver fibula with gold inlay, golden lunula
etc.) may suggest that individuals with better financial conditions might have worn the same
amulet types.
As many of the grave finds indicate, phallic
amulets were not worn as singular apotropaic elements or jewelry items. In three cremation burials (Tab. 2. 2., 13., 17., 18.) the amulets were parts
of a crepundia among other amulets made of the
same (Tab. 2. 13, 17.) or other materials (Tab. 2. 2).
The different shaped pendant (barrels, axes, fish,
money bags etc.) that formed the same necklace
with the analyzed phallic amulets had their own
well defined significance and represented different attributes of divinities or the encompassed divine powers. It seems that in these cases the apotropaic power of the phallic amulets, as the main
protection against evil eye, mentioned by the
sources, were completed and increased by other
amulets, probably for the best effect. It needs to
be mentioned that different pendants of the same
crepundium were manufactured sometimes (Tab. 2.
2., 18) from different raw materials (stones, glass,
bone, amber etc.) also with magical powers which
aimed again to increase the efficacy of protection.
In the cremation grave of a child (Tab 2. 16) from
the western cemetery of the Military Town the
phallic amulet manufactured of antler was found
next to two bear tooth imitation made of antler.
The three items could have formed a common
necklace for protecting the child against the evil
eyes where the bear tooth, pars pro toto would emphasize the protective character of the apotropaic
necklace.49 In the grave of a female adult from the
same cemetery there were placed even two phallic amulets (Fig. 7. 10.; 9. 10.; Fig.8. 15.; Fig. 9. 15.),
one of bronze and the other one from ceramic, and
they represent two different types in our typology. Except for this example and another one (Fig.
9. 18.), in the cemeteries from Aquincum, phallic
amulets made of metal are very rare.
49
About the protective character of bears as guards of infant
burials, see CRUMMY 2010.
71
LÓRÁNT VASS
The majority of phallic amulets recovered
from non–funerary contexts are manufactured
of bronze (mostly type 2). The depiction of the
phallus is usually very detailed and they have a
large suspension ring. The size and the position of
the rings could enable a multiple use: they could
be ranged on a necklace, leather strap, but they
could be also fastened on clothes or any furniture
elements. Thus, beyond the personal protection,
these items could also assure defense against
malefic forces for the room. The bronze phallic
amulet (Fig. 7. 4.; Fig. 9. 4.) recovered from one
of the rooms of the headquarters of the firemen
association (collegium centonariorum) might have
served hypothetically the same purpose. Taking
into consideration the fact that this building was
a public place where various individuals met, the
sources of black forces might have potentially increased. Protecting the room against all kind of
evil charms was crucial in this concern.50
Many of the phallic amulets were unearthed
from features interpreted as dwelling–houses
which suggest again the civilian, personal character of these pendants and the urge to protect the
wearer and its surrounding. Evidences concerning the military use of these amulets in Aquincum or in the neighboring area are almost inexistent. The only pendant which can be indirectly
linked on the basis of its function to the military
is cat. no. 3 (Fig. 6. 3.; Fig. 9. 3.) pendant interpreted
as a harness ornament. Unfortunately we lack all
kind of information related to the findspot, as it
was catalogued as an object with unknown provenance. Even so, this object illustrates very well
the urge to protect even the carriages or horses
as the personal belonging of a person and which
were equally displayed to the malefic powers of
the evil eye as it was already mentioned by Pliny
the Elder.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the number of the analyzed phallic amulets from the two cities from Aquincum and the
neighbouring settlement (Albertfalva) is not high
(18 pieces), they are fair enough to draw some
general conclusions regarding their use and fashion, and to provide new data to the research of the
Roman domestic magic.
The 18 phallic amulets were delimited in four
types and more subtypes based on morphologi50
This scenary might have been only valid if the respective
amulet was a part of the headquarters equipment and if did
not belong to one of the members.
72
cal and technical criteria. Although the number
of the types may suggest a variety of shapes and
function, the pendants from Aquincum seem to
be rather standardized. Many types which are
popular and widespread in western provinces
(di–phallic, tri–phallic, winged pendants, or amulets of fist and phalli types) are missing though.
Other cultic or domestic representations of phalli
are also in a much reduced quantity (Fig. 3). This
stands again in contrast to the general trends
from the western provinces and Italy where the
phallic representations are very frequent on public buildings, carvings or other architectural elements, especially in the province of Britannia, or
Hispania. The scarce number of phallic representations and amulets may indicate that in the
protection against malefic spirits or evil eye, the
people from Aquincum and Albertfalva used
other magical practices and talismans beside the
traditional phallic amulets.
In spite of the scarce number of phallic representations, the types, the chronology, the used
raw materials as well as the find contexts of the
phallic amulets reflect the same tendency and use
patterns as anywhere else in the Roman Empire.
They benefited from a large period of use from
the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD. However, the period
between the 2nd–3rd c. AD. should be considered
the peak of their usage. This time sequence corresponds with the most flourishing period of the
two towns from Aquincum as well.
The amulets were recovered mostly from urban context (including the finds from the vicus of
Albertfalva as well), from different dwellings and
other features, or from the cemeteries belonging
to these settlements. It is very interesting that no
phallic amulets were found in rural contexts, or
in the villa area in Aquincum’s foreground. This
could have had, in my opinion, two explanations:
1. Malefic spirits, spells, charms, or the evil eye
might have represented greater danger in crowded urban contexts, hence the private homes or
residences of associations (like the headquarter of
the firemen’s association from the Civilian Town)
required increased protection. 2. The fashion of
phallic amulets as well as the magical practice
based on these objects was introduced in Aquincum and in the surrounding region by the first
Roman settlers which would have followed the
legion (legio II Adiutrix) in this area (in the Military Town) at the end of the first century AD. The
earliest phallic pendants were recovered from the
western cemetery of Aquincum Military town
and from the early cemetery along the Arany-
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
hegyi Stream of the Civilian Town, dated to the
1st–2nd centuries, so from the early phase of urban
development. The Roman character51 of this pendant type is also supported by the early amulets
made of amber, which were typical Italian products, imported mostly from Aquileia. Representations of phallus as well as the magical, religious
character associated with it, is not familiar in the
culture of the indigenous Celtic population. In the
territory of Aquincum and its larger foreground
no phallic amulets were attested in the early Celtic settlements. In the vicus at Albertfalva, where
in the early phase of the settlement the cohabitation of the Celtic population could be pointed out,
the phallic amulets were recovered from contexts
which contained utterly Roman material.
Judging by the findspots and find contexts, the
phallic amulets from Aquincum could have had
mainly a civilian character. Although in Britannia52 or at the limes sector along the Rhine phallic amulets and other phallic representations are
very popular in military contexts, being named
as Limesphalli, 53 in Aquincum we have only two
objects which were recovered from military features. (Fig. 7. 5., 11.; Fig. 9. 5., 11.) Meanwhile, we
cannot exclude the possibility that the fashion of
51
52
53
The Roman character of the phallic amulets is supported also
by J. Plouviez who has got to this conclusion after the similar
finds from Suffolk (PLOUVIEZ 2005. 161.)
PARKER 2016.
OLDENSTEIN 1976. 158–159.
the phallic amulets were initially introduced in
Aquincum by the legionary and auxiliary soldiers and which has spread among the accompanying civilian population as well.
The analyzed pendants were most probably
used as protective charms against evil eye and
bad luck, but they could be also worn as healing amulets against sexual disorders (type 4) or
apotropaic pendants that would have conferred
fecundity and procreative power to the owner.
The occurrence of these amulets in female burials
might be related to this latter function (Tab. 2).
According to the testimonies of the cemeteries
the phallic amulet from Aquincum and Albertfalva were worn whether as apotropaic pendants,
or as jewelry elements on the neck (type 4) mainly
by infants and women. The same use of pattern
and relation between age and sex has reconstructed Magdolna Szilágyi as well in the case of
the bulla type of amulets from Aquincum.54 This
would testify the existence of a common habit
of the magical apotropaic practices in the settlement which will be clarified and understood better only after the future researches carried out on
other types of amulets.
54
SZILÁGYI 2005. 155.
73
LÓRÁNT VASS
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NAGY L.: Az aquincumi polgárváros t zoltóságának székháza (Schola collegii centonariorum). Budapest, 1944.
NAGY T.: Az albertfalvi római telep. El zetes jelentés az 1947. évi ásatásról. Antiquitas Hungarica 2:1–2. (1948), p. 92–114.
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PLOUVIEZ, J: Whose good luck? Roman phallic ornaments from Suffolk. In: Image, Craft and the Classical World. Essays in honour of
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SZILÁGYI M.: Kés császárkori bullák és amulett kapszulák az Aquincumi Múzeumban. BudRég 39. (2005), p. 151–171.
SZIRMAI K.: Az albertfalvi auxiliáris tabor vicusának 1994. évi feltárása. AqFüz 1. (1995), p. 10–14.
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A Soproni Sándor emlékkonfrencia el adásai, Bölcske 1998. Szekszárd, 1999., p. 225–241.
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Oculus malignus şi rolul apotropaic al amuletelor falice. Sargetia 33.
(2005), p. 205–215.
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
HÁT NEM ELB VÖL ?
FASCINUM AQUINCUMBAN – VÉDEKEZÉS
A GONOSZ SZELLEM ELLEN
A különböz mágikus praktikák, rituálék, mint
a kiszámíthatatlan gonosz er k vagy mások rontása elleni leghatékonyabb, egyéni védekezési
stratégiák mindig nagy érdekl désnek örvendtek
úgy az ókori emberek, mind a mai kor tudományos kutatói részér l. Bár számtalan tanulmány,
könyv és értekezés foglalkozik a mágiának a jobban „dokumentált” emlékeivel – mint az átoktáblák, mágikus szövegekkel ellátott amulettek,
varázsgemmák –, az egyszer , jel nélküli amulettek viszonylag kevés kutató érdekl dését keltették fel. A két aquincumi városban (a katona– és
polgárvárosban) zajló mágikus praktikáról többek között három átoktábla, egy a migrén el zésére szolgáló lamella és számtalan, az Aquincumi
Múzeum gy jteményében található egyéb bajelhárító amulett tanúskodik. Jelen tanulmány egy
olyan mágikus tárgytípus elemzését kínálja, amelyet az ókori források is a gonosz szem, és ez által
a szemmel verés elleni védekezés leghatékonyabb
fegyverének tartottak. Az aquincumi két településr l valamint az albertfalvi vicusból és táborból
összesen 18 phallikus amulettet sikerült összegy jteni (1. táblázat), amelyeket a morfológiai jellegzetességek, illetve a függeszt fül formája és
elhelyezkedése alapján négy f típusba soroltam.
Az amulettek típusai illetve használati ideje (Kr.
u. 1–3. század) a birodalom többi tartományában
megfigyelt általános tendenciákat tükrözi, amit a
b séges párhuzamok is alátámasztanak. A csüng k legnagyobb része bronzból készült, de bo-
rostyánból, és állatcsontból faragott egyedek is
megtalálhatóak. Ez utóbbiak f ként crepundia
elemekként jelentkeznek különböz gyerek és n i
sírokban. Ezek az amulettek vélhet en a szemmel
verés elleni védekezésben segítették visel jüket
(f ként az 1–3. típusok), emellett azonban termékenységet el segít talizmánként és gyógyító
amulettként is viselhették ket. Talán a phallus
termékenység szimbólumával magyarázható a
phallikus amulettek n i sírokban való el fordulása is (4. típus). A 4. A. típusba tartozó phallusok
szokatlan kiképzése (rombusz alak, elsz kül
makk) talán szexuális zavar (fitymasz kület, impotencia) gyógyítását is el segíthette. Legalábbis
kognitív szinten.
Az amulettek el kerülési helyei f ként a csüng k civil és egyéni felhasználását (4. kép) igazolják, bár a phallikus amulettek tipikusan római
hagyományát valószín leg Aquincum és Albertfalva esetében is a katonaság, illetve az ket kísér római telepesek honosíthatták meg. Err l tanúskodnak a katonaváros és a polgárváros korai
temet iben talált phallikus amulettek is. Még a
legkorábbi keltezés egyedek is római leletanyagot tartalmazó rétegekb l kerültek el . Valószín leg a bennszülött kelta népesség számára ez a
fajta mágikus hagyomány és védekezés a gonosz
er k ellen idegen volt. A phallikus amulettek a
kutatási jelenlegi állása alapján hiányoznak a vidéki, rurális környezetb l vagy a városokon kívüli villákból.
77
E.
N
VASS LÓRÁNT
Ceramic; 1
Amber; 3
Animal
bone; 4
Bronze; 10
Fig. 1. Distribution of amulets according to the raw material
1. kép. Az amulettek megoszlása a nyersanyag függvényében
Fig. 2. Spatial distribution of the amulets
2. kép. Az amulettek területi megoszlása
7
6
5
4
3
6
6
2
3
2
0
1st c.
0
0
0
2nd c.
3rd c.
unknown
1st c.
Fig. 3. Chronology of finds
3. kép. A tárgyak keltezése
78
1
1
2nd c.
3rd c.
unknown
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
Fig. 4. Distribution map of the finds. 1. Cemetery along the Aranyhegyi Stream; 2. Headquarter of the collegium centonariorum; 3. Legionary fortress - Szentlélek Square; 4. San Marco Street 52 - Kiscelli Street 74; 5. Lajos Street 71-89; 6. Bécsi Road
82; 7. Bécsi Road 64.; 8. Bécsi Road 12 - Ürömi Street 11; 9. Lajos Street - Cserfa Street; 10-11. Albertfalva, Hunyadi János
Road 16.; 12. Albertfalva, auxiliary fort; 13. Albertfalva, König property (1949); 14. Albertfalva, Szerémi Street- Hunyadi
János Road intersection.
4. kép. A leletek előkerülési helyei: 1. Az Aranyhegyi patak menti temető; 2. A collegium centonariorum székháza; 3. Legiotábor – Szentlélek tér; 4. San Marco utca 52.; 5. Lajos utca 71-89; 6. Bécsi út 82.; 7. Bécsi út 64.; 8. Bécsi út 12 – Ürömi utca 11.;
9. Lajos utca – Cserfa utca; 10-11. Albertfalva, Hunyadi János út 16.; 12. Albertfalva, segédcsapattábor; 13. Alberfalva, König
földje (1949); 14. Albertfalva, Szerémi utca – Hunyadi János út kereszteződése.
79
VASS LÓRÁNT
Fig. 5. Representation of phallus in Aquincum (photos by Péter Komjáthy): 1. Terracotta statue of Priapus; 2. Ceramic beaker
with phallus depiction.; 3. A terra sigillata bowl with an incision in the form of a phallus from the 6 Vályog Street; 4. Ceramic
votive (?) phallus from the industrial area of the Military Town.
5. kép. Phallos ábrázolások Aquincumból (fotó: Komjáthy Péter): 1. Priapus terrakotta szobra; 2. Kerámia bögre phallos ábrázolással; 3. Egy terra sigillata tál bekarcolt, phallus alakú motívummal, Vályog utca 6.; 4. Kerámia votív (?) phallos a katonaváros
ipari negyedéből.
Fig. 6. Phallic amulets: Type 1 A: 1.;Type 1B: 2; Type 1C: 3 (Drawings by Tamás Lajtos and Lóránt Vass)
6. kép. Phallikus amulettek: 1 A. típus: 1; 1 B. típus: 2; 1 C. típus: 3 (rajz Lajtos Tamás, Vass Lóránt)
80
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
Fig. 7. Phallic amulets: Type 2 A: 4-8; Type 2 B: 9; Type 3: 10-11. (Drawings by Tamás Lajtos and Lóránt Vass)
7. kép. Phallikus amulettek: 2 A. típus: 4-8; 2 B. típus: 9; 3. típus: 10-11 (rajz Lajtos Tamás, Vass Lóránt)
Fig. 8. Phallic amulets: Type 4 A: 12-14; Type 4 B: 15-16 (Drawings by Tamás Lajtos and Lóránt Vass)
8. kép. Phallikus amulettek: 4 A. típus: 12-14; 4 B. típus: 15-16 (rajz Lajtos Tamás, Vass Lóránt)
81
VASS LÓRÁNT
Fig. 9. Phallic amulets, photos: Type 1: 1-3; Type 2: 4-9; Type 3: 10-11; Type 4: 12-17; Varia: 18 (Photos by Péter Komjáthy)
9. kép. Phallikus amulettek, fotók: 1. típus: 1-3; 2. típus: 4-9; 3. típus: 10-11; 4. típus: 12-17; Egyéb: 18. (fotó: Komjáthy Péter)
82
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
Type
Subtype
Description
1
A
B
C
A
B
Amulet with a trapezoidal male genital part and erect phallus
Amulet with a trapezoidal male genital part and flaccid phallus
Amulet with double crescent shaped male genital part and erect phallus
Amulet depicting an erect phallus and with suspension ring below the main axis, and scrotum.
Bone amulet depicting an erect phallus with the suspension hole gauged between the shaft and
scrotum
Amulet depicting an erect phallus with a suspension ring placed behind the scrotum
The body of the phallus is rhomboidal shaped; the scrotum and glanses are in the same axis,
suspension whole on the transversal side.
Amulet depicting an erect phallus. The scrotum, glans and body are in the same axis.
Amulet depicting a schematic phallus.
2
3
4
A
B
Varia
Objects
(cat.no)
1
2
3
4-8
9
%
17
33
10-11
12-14; 17
11
33
15-16.
6
18
Tab. 1. Typology of the amulets
1. táblázat. Az amulettek tipológiája
83
84
Cat.
no
2
13
17
14
10
16
18
Grave no./burialtype
Sex/age
Accompanying grave good
Date
Reference
- necklace/jewelry/crepundia:
additional 18 amber and bone amulets of
different shapes: animal, comb, two other
phallic amulets, moneybag,
- necklace/jewelry/crepundia
composed of 17 additional amber amulets
of different shapes: 1 phallic amulet (today
missing), 7 moneybags, 3 barrel, 2 axes, 3 fish,
1 amphora.
2nd half of the
2nd c. AD.
LASSÁNYI-BECHTOLD 2006, 75,
2. kép
1st-2nd c. AD.
NAGY L. 1944, 198, Pl. XLIII.
- ceramic vessels: two-handled cup
(North-Italian import).
- jewellry/necklace consisted of 8 cylindrical
amber beads with the phallic pendant
- ceramic vessels: red jug, handled mug
- glass vessels: unguentum and a perfume bottle
- jewelry/necklace: cylindrical ivory bead,
ribbed glass bead with the phallic amulets
- pedant: perforated coin of Domitianus
- coin: bronze sestertius of Antoninus Pius
late 1st – early
2nd c. AD.
TOPÁL 2003, 94, grave 52.
late 2nd – early
3rd c. AD.
TOPÁL 2003, 101, grave 30, Pl.
216
infant
- jewelry/crepundium: two bear tooth imitation
made of antler
2nd-3rd c. AD.
unpublished
female
- ceramic vessels: bowl covered with a lid
containing pork ribs
- dress accessories: silver fibula with gold inlay
- personal belongings: bronze and bone distaffs,
stick with bird depiction
- jewelry/necklace/crepundium composed of
different shaped pendants made of amber,
stones, glass and bone.
2nd c. AD.
FACSÁDY 1996, 17-18., 4.-5. kép
Western cemetery of the
Aquincum Civil Town
along the Aranyhegyi
Stream
Western cemetery of the
Aquincum Civil Town
along the Aranyhegyi
Stream
Western cemetery of the
Aquincum Civil Town
along the Aranyhegyi
Stream
Western cemetery of the
Military town, Budapest,
III Bécsi Road 82
Cremation burial
infant
no information
no information
grave no. 12 (52), cremation/
inhumation grave
no information
Western cemetery of the
Military town, Budapest,
III Bécsi Road 82
Western cemetery of the
Military town, Budapest,
III Bécsi Road 82
Western cemetery of the
Military town, Budapest,
III., Bécsi Road 64
Budapest, III. Lajos street Cserfa Street
grave no. 30 (70), cremation
burial
Adult female
grave no.43, cremation burial
grave no. 11, cremation burial
Tab. 2. Synoptic table of the find context and grave goods from the cemeteries at Aquincum.
2. táblázat. Összefoglaló táblázat: az aquncumi temetőkből származó amulettek leletkörnyezete és a sírban előforduló egyéb mellékletek.
VASS LÓRÁNT
15
Cemetery
Nos.
Inventary
number
57.50.822
2
2005.40.660
3
50788
4
56.116.4
5
56.161.30
6
98.27.271
7
8
Complete pendant with a flat triangular and
semicircular body depicting the male genital part
with a projecting erect phallus. The flat pendant
has on its upper part a suspension hole set
perpendicular to the pendant axis.
Complete pendant with a flat trapezoidal body
with rounded corners depicting the male genital
part with a flaccid slightly arched phallus. The
glans is portrayed as a small projection at the
end of the narrow penis. The upper edge of the
genital part was notched in a wavy style. The
suspension hole was set above the phallus, at the
upper terminal.
Double crescent shaped amulet/harness element
with a large suspension hole set perpendicular to
the axis of the object. The erect phallus is placed
in the middle of amulet. The glans on the slightly
curved phallus is depicted very naturally.
Phallic amulet with short, straight shaft
and projecting glans. The scrotum was set
perpendicular to the shaft axis. The unusually
tall, circular suspension hole was placed above
the scrotum, at the end of the amulet.
Phallic amulet with curved shaft and a large
circular suspension hole placed at the scrotum.
The curved shaft terminates in a flat glans.
Material
Dimensions
Site/Context
Date
Reference
Illustration
bronze
L: 31 mm; L phallus:
Albertfalva, Budapest XI,
8 mm; W: 22 mm; W western part of the vicus,
scrotum: 11 mm; Dm König’s property, 1949.
hole: 7 mm; Th: 1 mm;
1st-3rd c. AD.
bone
L: 15 mm; W: 8 mm;
Western cemetery of the
Th: 3-6 mm, Dm hole: Civil Town, Budapest,
1 mm.
III. Cemetery along the
Aranyhegyi Stream, infant
grave
2nd half of the LASSÁNYI-BECHTOLD
2nd c. A.D.
2006, 75, 2. kép
Fig. 6/2; Fig. 9/2
bronze
L: 61 mm; H: 34 mm;
L phallos: 26 mm; Th:
3.3; Dm hole: 10 mm
Unknown
Fig. 6/3; Fig. 9/2
bronze
L: 23 mm; W scr.: 14; Civil Town, Budapest, III.
2nd – 3rd c. AD.
Th: 5; Dm hole: 8 mm. Aquincum Museum Park,
the headquarters of the
firemen association (collegium
centonariorum), room V, 1931.
L: 28 mm; W: 4 mm;
Military Town, Budapest,
2nd-3rd c. A.D.
Th: 3 mm; W scrotum: III., Szentlélek Square (1941),
10 mm; Dm hole: 3.8
legionary fortress
mm
L: 41 mm; Th: 7.7 mm; Military Town, Budapest, III. 2nd-3rd c. A.D.
W scrotum: 14 mm
ker, San Marco Street 56. Kiscelli Street 74, 1997.
bronze
Phallic amulet with long shaft and two very well bronze
contoured, globular testicles on one terminal. The
long shaft gets a rhomboidal shape towards the
tip. The suspension hole was broken.
2006.23.18207 Phallic amulet with slightly curved body and
bronze
projecting glans. The scrotum is composed of
two circular, flat elements that join the shaft. In
the middle of the amulet a circular suspension
hole was placed. The outer surface of the shaft is
decorated with a long incised groove.
95.1.991
Large-sized phallic amulet with long, straight
bronze
shaft, slightly projecting glans. The testicles in the
shape of two globular projections are very well
contoured. The large, circular suspension hole
was placed right above the testicles.
Unknown
Unpublished
AQUINCUM 1995, kat.
419; LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR
2008, kat. 1166.
Fig. 6/1; Fig. 9/1
LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR
Fig. 7/4; Fig. 9/4
2009, kat. 409.NAGY
L. 1944, 197, no.
4; XLII/2; PARRAGI
1993, 318, 4. kép/5.
LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁr 2009, Fig. 7/5; Fig. 9/5
kat. 410.
LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR 2009, Fig. 7/6; Fig. 9/6
kat. 411.
L: 36 mm; W: 4 mm;
W scrotum: 11 mm;
Dm hole: 8 mm; Th:
4 mm.
Albertfalva, northern part
1st – 2ndc. A.D. Unpublished
of the vicus, Budapest, XI.
Hunyadi János Road 16,
2006, southwest from feature
no. 2.
Fig. 7/7; Fig. 9/7
L: 46 mm; W: 7 mm;
Dm testicles: 9 mm;
Dm hole: 11 mm.
Albertfalva, western part
of the vicus, Budapest XI,
Szerémi Street – Hunyadi
János Street intersection,
1994.
1st – 2ndc. A.D. Unpublished
Fig. 7/8; Fig. 9/8
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
1
Description
85
86
Nos.
9
10
Inventary
number
Description
Material
2006.23.18156 Phallic amulet carved from one piece of animal
bone
bone. The depiction of the glans is much
emphasized, the meatus being represented by
a deep incised groove. The scrotum is parallel
and placed in the same line with the shaft. The
circular suspension hole is placed right above the
scrotum. Chisel marks on the surface.
1937/30
Phallus with straight stiff body margined at one bronze
R=2438
terminal by the scrotum. Behind the scrotum a
suspension hole was attached with the remains of
other attaching elements (wire, ferules)
2008.5.1517.1
12
2002.7.13740.1 Small-sized pendant. The phallus is composed
animal
of a rhomboidal body tapering at the glans. The
bone
scrotum is situated on the same line with the rest
of the body. Tiny attaching hole drilled above the
scrotum. Working traces (chiseling, rasping) on
the surface.
amber
56.185.94
Rhomboidal shaped, schematic phallic amulet
tapering at the glans. The tiny suspension hole
was drilled on the lateral side of the shaft.
13
14
R2723/2017
15
1/1937
Phallic amulet in a bad state of preservation. The bronze
straight body with profiled shaft is tapering to the
glans. Scrotum was placed on the terminal of the
object. Suspension hole was broken or missing.
Small-sized phallic amulet with short shaft
amber
and very well contoured, projecting glans.
The scrotum is composed of two circular, flat
elements situated at the narrower end of the
object. The thin suspension hole was placed right
next to the glans.
Brownish-orange ceramic pendant in the shape
ceramic
of an erect phallus. The straight body is tapering
towards the glans. The attaching hole was drilled
right above the scrotum on the frontal side.
Site/Context
Date
L: 20 mm; W: 14 mm;
W scrotum: 11 mm;
Dm hole: 4 mm; Th:
4 mm;
Albertfalva, XI., Hunyadi
1st – 2nd c.
János Road 16, 2006, northern A.D.
part of the vicus, rectangular
house (feature no. 84)
L: 22 mm; W: 3 mm;
W scrotum: 8.6 mm;
Th: 3 mm; Dm hole:
4 mm.
Western cemetery of the
Military Town, Bécsi Road
82, 1936, grave 30, adult
female.
L: 27 mm; W: 7.5 mm; Albertfalva, XI. Budapest,
W scrotum: 10 mm;
2008, auxiliary fort, area no.
Th: 6 mm
2, dark brown, small pebble
layer.
Reference
Unpublished
late 2nd c. – 3rd LÁTVÁNYRAKTÁR 2009,
c. A.D.
kat. 412.
TOPÁL 2003, 101,
grave 30, Pl. 216/
7/8.
1st c. – mid 3rd Unpublished
c. AD.
Illustration
Fig. 7/9; Fig. 9/9
Fig. 7/10; Fig.
9/10
Fig. 7/11; Fig.
9/11
L: 17 mm; W: 5.7 mm; Military Town, III. Lajos
W scrotum: 5 mm; Dm Street 71-89., 2002, house/
hole: 1.2 mm
garbage pit
1st – 3rd c. A.D. Unpublished
Fig. 8/12; Fig.
9/12
L: 21 mm; W: 10 mm;
Dm hole: 2.6 mm
Western cemetery of the
Civil Town, Budapest,
III, cemetery along the
Aranyhegyi Stream
1st-2nd c. A.D.
Fig. 8/13; Fig.
9/13
L: 17 mm; W: 10 mm;
L scrotum: 7 mm; Th:
6; Dm hole: 1.6 mm
Western cemetery of the
Late 1st- early TOPÁL 2003, 94, grave Fig. 8/14; Fig.
Military town, Budapest, III 2nd c. AD.
52, no. 2.;AQUILEIA9/14
Bécsi Road 82, 1936, grave 12.
AQUINCUM, cat. No.
254.
L: 32 mm; W: 9 mm;
W scrotum: 19 mm;
Dm hole: 4.3 mm
Western cemetery of the
late 2nd c. – 3rd TOPÁL 2003, 101,
Military Town, Budapest, III. c. A.D.
grave 30, Pl. 216/
Bécsi Road 82, 1936, grave
7/3.
no. 30, adult female
NAGY L. 1944, 198,
Pl. XLIII
Fig. 8/15; Fig.
9/15
VASS LÓRÁNT
11
Dimensions
Nos.
Inventary
number
R2724/2017
17
56.185.94
18
95.12.1966
Phallic amulet with a slightly rhomboidal body.
The scrotum is situated in the same line with the
shaft. The transversal suspension hole was placed
above the scrotum. The rim of the glans as well as
the meatus are depicted with schematic incised
grooves.
Phallic amulet with a slightly rhomboidal body.
The object was broken above the scrotum. The tip
of the phallus is also missing. It was modelled in
the same style as object no. 13. The suspension
hole can be found also on the transversal side of
the object.
Small-sized very schematic phallic amulet with a
slightly curved, thin shaft and a wider scrotum (?)
part. There are no traces of suspension hole .
Tab. 3. Catalogue of the finds
3. táblázat. Leletkatalógus
Material
Dimensions
Site/Context
Date
Reference
Illustration
bone
L: 35 mm; W: 15 mm;
(red deer L scrotum: 19; Th: 10
antler)
mm; Dm hole: 4 mm.
Western cemetery of the
2nd – 3rdc. A.D. Unpublished
Military town, Budapest, III.,
Bécsi Road 64, 2006, grave
no. 43, infant grave
amber
L: 21.5 mm; W: 11
mm; Th: 7.4 mm; Dm
hole: 2 mm.
Western cemetery of the
Civil Town, Budapest,
III, cemetery along the
Aranyhegyi Stream
1st – 2ndc. A.D. NAGY L. 1944, 198,
Pl. XLIII.
Fig. 9/17
bronze
L: 22 mm; W: 7 mm;
W scrotum: 12 mm;
Th: 3 mm
Budapest, III. Lajos street
- Cserfa Street, 1995, grave
no. 11, cremation grave of a
female
2ndc. A.D.
Fig. 9/18
Unpublished
Fig. 8/16;
Fig. 9/16
FASCINUM IN AQUINCUM – PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL EYE. PHALLIC AMULETS IN A ROMAN CITY
16
Description
87