{"product_id":"ancient-roman-lead-votive-plaque-of-jupiter-heliopolitanus-with-two-sacred-bulls-roman-syria","title":"Ancient Roman Lead Votive Plaque of Jupiter Heliopolitanus with Two Sacred Bulls | Roman Syria | Circa 1st – 3rd Century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Syria, associated with Heliopolis-Baalbek in present-day Lebanon\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast lead or lead-rich alloy with mineral accretions, mounted on a modern painted wooden display stand\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century CE\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThis ancient Roman votive plaque depicts Jupiter Heliopolitanus, the principal deity worshipped at Heliopolis, the ancient city now known as Baalbek in Lebanon.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe deity is presented frontally in a highly stylized and symmetrical composition, positioned above two sacred bulls shown in profile.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nJupiter is represented with an elongated body enclosed within a close-fitting ceremonial garment known as an ependytes. Horizontal and chevron-shaped incised lines decorate the torso and lower garment, suggesting layered textiles, armour-like divisions, or symbolic registers traditionally associated with the Heliopolitan cult image.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe figure’s long curved arms descend toward the backs of the animals on either side, creating an openwork composition. The bulls face outward in opposing directions and stand upon a long horizontal ground line.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nTheir bodies, heads, legs, and tails are rendered in simplified low relief, emphasizing their symbolic role rather than anatomical realism.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nAbove the rounded face is a tall, widening headdress or kalathos decorated with an additional stylized face or mask. The primary face is rendered with large almond-shaped eyes, a narrow nose, and a small mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe unusually tall double-register headpiece reinforces the deity’s supernatural and ceremonial character.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nA geometric shrine-like pattern appears beneath the figure between the two bulls. This may represent a stylized architectural façade, sacred pedestal, or decorative base.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nJupiter Heliopolitanus was commonly represented above a decorated support and accompanied by two walking bulls. In two-dimensional lead votive figures, the animals were often shown in profile so their forms could be rendered more clearly.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe plaque is mounted against a black-painted vertical panel supported by a rectangular wooden base.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Central frontal deity flanked by two sacred bulls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Tall kalathos or ceremonial headdress\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Additional stylized face or mask within the headdress\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Close-fitting ependytes garment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Incised horizontal and chevron decoration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Openwork cast construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Stylized architectural or pedestal motif beneath the deity\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Pale grey archaeological surface with mineral deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Mounted on a modern black wooden display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nJupiter Heliopolitanus was the dominant deity of Roman Heliopolis-Baalbek, an important pilgrimage and religious centre in the Roman Near East.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe cult image combined Roman, Greek, and local Syrian religious traditions, presenting Jupiter as a cosmic, agrarian, storm, fertility, and oracular deity. His characteristic imagery included the kalathos, ceremonial garment, whip, grain, thunderbolts, celestial symbols, and two sacred bulls.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe bulls connect the deity with local Near Eastern storm and fertility traditions. They consistently accompany Jupiter in surviving reliefs, altars, statuettes, and lead votive figures, usually walking beside or beneath him.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nLead votive figures appear to have played a role in personal pilgrimage and devotional practice. Similar examples have been associated with sacred springs and sanctuary deposits, where pilgrims left ex-votos connected with Jupiter Heliopolitanus.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nBaalbek retained its major religious role during the Roman period, when the sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus attracted large numbers of pilgrims and became one of the most celebrated monumental temple complexes of the ancient Roman world.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe plaque survives substantially intact, with expected archaeological wear throughout.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe surface exhibits extensive pale oxidation, mineral deposits, earthen accretions, discoloration, pitting, abrasions, and losses to the original surface.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nSeveral edges are irregular, with small chips and areas of loss around the headdress, bulls, ground line, and openwork sections.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nA visible crack or separation is present near the forelegs of the bull on the viewer’s right. Additional small fissures, casting irregularities, weakened areas, and losses are visible throughout.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe fine details of the face, clothing, animals, and decorative registers remain identifiable despite considerable surface wear.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe plaque appears permanently attached to the modern wooden display panel. Its reverse and concealed mounting areas have therefore not been inspected.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe black-painted stand displays minor scratches, dust, and handling wear.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nOverall Mounted Height: 4.75 in\u003cbr\u003e\nOverall Width: 3.6 in\u003cbr\u003e\nOverall Depth: 1.5 in\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n1,700–2,000 years old\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nFormerly part of a private Brooklyn, New York, USA collection of antiquities and archaeological objects, assembled over many years with a particular interest in ancient material culture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about Jupiter Heliopolitanus and related Roman lead votive figures preserved by the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/aub.edu.lb\/museum_archeo\/Documents\/Jupiter_Heliopolitanus_museum.pdf\" title=\"Jupiter Heliopolitanus and Lead Votive Figures – AUB Archaeological Museum\"\u003eAmerican University of Beirut Archaeological Museum\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our curated \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/roman-greek-artifacts-ancient-relics\" title=\"Roman and Greek Artifacts and Ancient Relics – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Roman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts and Ancient Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54980865392962,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient-Roman-Lead-Votive-Plaque-of-Jupiter-H-6098.png?v=1785107935","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/ancient-roman-lead-votive-plaque-of-jupiter-heliopolitanus-with-two-sacred-bulls-roman-syria","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}