Aion of Mérida

This is part of a series of sculptures of gods who probably formed a sacred group in a shrine or temple. It was found during the building work on the bullring in Mérida in the early 20th century. It represents the oriental god Zervan Chronos, depicted with the head of a lion on his chest and a serpent encircling the god’s naked body. Two holes can be seen on the head for bronze lightning bolts, and the shoulder blades have grooves for inserting two wings, another distinctive feature of this god.

Marble statue (H. 1.75), found in 1902 and 1913. Mus. Merida, Inv. No. 86.

On a round pedestal…