Hathoric pier-capital

myminifactory

This is one of approximately 15 Hathoric capitals, pier-capitals or stelae found at Amathous. Dated between the 6th and early 5th century BC, they are linked to worship of the "Cypriot Goddess." The design draws inspiration from Egyptian goddess Hathor prototypes. A characteristic head of the goddess protrudes from an umbel of papyrus and sports a wig ending in curls on each side - although these are missing here - with the head crowned by a miniature sanctuary (naiskos), flanked by a pair of double spirals, and topped by a winged solar disc. Emerging from within the shrine is the sacred serpent, the uraeus, an apotropaic symbol of royal authority.