Archaeologists have uncovered a rather unusual ancient award while exploring an area in England that once marked the northern edge of the Roman Empire. It was during excavations of an ancient Roman auxiliary fort that a silver medal featuring a winged Gorgon with snakes for hair was discovered.
The Gorgon with Snakes – A Talisman Against Evil and a Medal of Honor
This remarkable military award is nearly 1,800 years old. The auxiliary fort at Vindolanda, where the medal with the winged Gorgon was found, dates back to around the end of the 1st century. It was established several decades before the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in AD 122.
According to a representative from the Vindolanda Trust, which oversees the excavations in this part of England, the ancient medal was discovered on the floor of a barrack. The award is a silver phalera, depicting the head of the Gorgon.
As known from ancient Greek myths, the Gorgon has hair made of snakes and can turn people to stone with her gaze. According to the most famous legend, this monster was beheaded in her sleep by the ancient Greek hero Perseus, who used Athena’s shiny shield to deflect her deadly stare.
Professor John Pollini notes that ancient Roman culture inherited much from the Greeks. In the Roman Empire, the Gorgon was considered a protective talisman that warded off evil. He emphasizes that the image of this mythical creature has been used since ancient Greek times specifically for protection against negativity.
Images of the Gorgon with snakes on her head can be found on ancient Roman tombs. The face of this mythical being is depicted in mosaics on the walls of luxurious ancient villas and adorns battle armor. A well-known mosaic from Pompeii shows Alexander the Great with a Gorgon on his breastplate.
Images of the Gorgon can also be found on other ancient Roman phalerae. However, there may be some variations in details. On the medal found at Vindolanda, the mythical creature has wings on her head.
Professor Pollini points out that sometimes the Gorgon is depicted with wings and sometimes without. He believes this may indicate the ability to fly, similar to the ancient Roman Mercury, who is often shown with small wings on his helmet.
A Rare Find at Vindolanda
A phalera is a medallion that served as a military honor for cavalry. Initially, it was awarded to the best horsemen, and later to legionnaires and auxiliary soldiers. Phalerae have ancient Greek origins, so it’s no surprise that the thematic images on them are somewhat connected to Greek myths.
Most commonly, the heads of the Gorgon and lions can be seen on phalerae from ancient Greece and Rome. Among the Romans, phalerae featuring the gods of war—Mars and Minerva, as well as Jupiter—were also popular. Typically, these awards were worn in odd numbers, either on the chest or on special leather straps. Phalerae were made from bronze (sometimes gilded), silver, glass, or precious stones.
Mr. Pollini notes that the discovery of the medal with the Gorgon at Vindolanda is a rare find. He states that there are not many silver phalerae due to the precious metal, which could have been melted down.
Bronze phalera with a Gorgon, found in Turkey
Such awards are most often found in burial sites, but the medal featuring the Gorgon discovered at Vindolanda was likely lost. The professor believes that such a treasure would hardly have been discarded.
Interestingly, a similar artifact was found late last year in eastern Turkey. During excavations at the ancient Greek site of Perre, archaeologists uncovered a bronze medal featuring the head of the Gorgon.
According to Livescience, the silver artifact found in England in early June 2023 is currently undergoing laboratory conservation. It will be on display at the Vindolanda findings exhibition in 2024.