The Art and Science of Healing: From Antiquity to the Renaissance

The Art and Science of Healing: From Antiquity to the RenaissanceThe Art and Science of Healing: From Antiquity to the Renaissance

Stomach Amulet

Stomach amulet recto Stomach amulet verso

Stomach amulet: Heracles wrestling lion Jasper, red 15 x 12 x 2.5 mm 1st–5th c. AD Egypt Aziz Khayat. KM 26014

On the obverse is the figure of Heracles fighting a lion; on the left is a club. These iconographical elements seem to echo the struggle to combat stomachache. On the reverse is a series of three Ks, probably a sort of magical formula referring to the name of the Greek hero.