Archaeologists found 13 terracotta figurines during recent excavations in the house adjacent to the “House of Leda and the Swan” on Via del Vesuvius in Pompeii. The 13 clay figurines, approximately 15 centimeters high, were associated with the cult of the goddess Cybele. According to archaeologists, the figurines may be associated with Cybele and Attis, telling the story of the mother goddess’s tragic love for a mortal.

Attis was a handsome young man born in Phrygia. Cybele, also known as Cybele, was a powerful goddess associated with fertility, abundance, and nature. Attis entered into an illicit relationship with one of Cybele’s priestesses, and this began to undermine his devotion to Cybele.

Cybele was furious at Attis’ betrayal, and it drove her mad. In a moment of great agony, Attis castrated himself and eventually died. After his death, he turned into a pine tree.

An anguished Cybele asked Zeus for permission to grant Attis immortality. Attis became revered as a symbol associated with Cybele and was celebrated as an image of the afterlife, symbolizing the cycle of nature, loss and rebirth.

Some figurines found in Pompeii. Others depicted a rooster’s head, an almond, a walnut and a pine cone. Photo: Pompeiisites

The miniature clay statues were found vertically on a horizontal plane, probably on a shelf that once hung in the house. Some of the sculptures were human figures, while others contained chicken heads and pine cones. The statues found bear a striking resemblance to figures often found in Christmas nativity scenes.

“Although nativity scenes were not a tradition in the pagan Roman city, experts believe the statues were positioned in a way that suggests they were part of an ancient ritual,” the archaeologists said in a statement. said. Source