1.5 Gifts for the gods: votive offerings
Why were images of parts of the body dedicated to the gods? In Video 2, Helen King talks to Dr Jessica Hughes of The Open University about how these dedications were used to preserve or encourage health.
Different amounts of body parts were found in different healing sanctuaries. In Athens, at the sanctuary of Asclepius, 40 per cent (154 objects) were eyes, while in Corinth limbs were more common. But did they only concern physical conditions or did they have a more complex meaning?
OpenLearn - Health and wellbeing in the ancient world
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