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A New Relief from Cyrene with a Libyan Scene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2015

Saleh Wanis*
Affiliation:
Department of Antiquities, Cyrene

Abstract

The limestone relief, discovered near the motel in New Shahat in 1984, is one of a group of votive reliefs of the later Hellenistic period (2nd-1st centuries BC). The group, from various Libyan sites, depict Libyan sanctuaries, and are of especial interest in reflecting the close relationship between the Greek and native populations of Cyrenaica. The new find is unusual in devoting a large space to two pastoral scenes. They represent an aspect of the cult of a deity, probably Demeter, who was believed to bestow the Libyan people with meat, milk, hair, wool and other products. With these earthly goods Demeter brought the promise of fertility. Women feature prominently in the relief, as in her cult.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Libyan Studies 1992

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References

Fabbriconi, E. 1988. Divinità greche e divinità libie in rilievi di età ellenistica. Quaderni di Archeologia della Libya 12, Cirene e I Libyi: 223244.Google Scholar
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