Artifacts Depicting Ancient Greek Deities Discovered in Finziade, Sicily

Archaeologists have discovered multiple artifacts depicting ancient Greek deities in the ancient city of Finziade in Sicily.

Now known as Licata, the site of the ancient Greek city of Finziade (Greek: Φιντιάς/Phintias) is located in a hilly part of Sicily and is a treasure trove of artifacts dating back to the Roman Empire and Magna Graecia. In a recent discovery, a mold used to create masks of the legendary Gorgon Medusa was found, along with several cracked cups adorned with medallions of the deities Isis and Serapis, ancient Egyptian and Greco-Egyptian gods revered by both the Greeks and Romans.

The ancient Greek deity figures in Finziade

Finziade has been the site of many historical discoveries that have influenced humanity’s knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman world, and this find is yet another contribution. The artifacts were found in what is known as House 18, a building dating back to the Late Republican period, which is around the first century BC.

The discoveries made in Fianzade are a collaborative effort. Archaeologists leading the program, Alessio Toscano Raffa and Maria Concetta Parello, head digging efforts to learn more about the ancient city. Meanwhile, Rosario Callea from the Parco della Valle dei Templi handles the logistical aspects of the artifacts discovered and the dig sites.

The most significant discovery was the mold for the Medusa masks. They suggest that House 18 may have been converted into an artisanal workshop producing masks and other festive goods during the Late Republican period. Researchers also hypothesize that the site could have primarily relied on artisanal crafts, such as medallions and the aforementioned masks, as a major contributor to the local economy.

Medusa was one of the three Gorgons and symbolized danger and protection in ancient Greek mythology. Her likeness was often placed on items such as medallions, amulets, and masks all to ward off evil.

In Greek mythology, Medusa was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who then used her head—still capable of turning onlookers to stone—as a weapon until he returned it to the goddess Athena, who placed it on her shield.

Isis and Serapis

The other findings include medallions depicting Serapis, Isis, and other deities. This could highlight the cultural importance and craftsmanship expertise in the area during ancient Roman times.

Serapis (Greek: Σέραπις) was a Greco-Egyptian god introduced in Alexandria of Egypt in around 300 B.C. by Ptolemy I. Ptolemy built several temples of Serapis throughout the empire. The god was depicted as a Zeus-like figure, with a beard like Hades.

Isis was the Egyptian god of fertility that was absorbed by the Roman religion. The absorption of gods into the Roman pantheon was a common practice for the time, as the ancient Romans incorporated gods of conquered or friendly nations into their pantheon as a way of enabling a kind of religious tolerance in the empire.