The lamp mirror shows the bust of Apollo with a halo, flanked by two dolphins. This combination is reminiscent of the depiction of Apollo Delphinios, whose cult was one of the most important in Miletus in Asia Minor.
It combines religion and politics in a special way, for the cult of Apollo Delphinios controlled access to civic status from the 7th century BC until about 400 AD. (AVS)
Former August Kestner Collection, Rome
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