Image: Magical sphere helios from theater of dionysus acropolis museum athens greece

Description: On the sphere are presented the God Helios, a lion, a dragon and magical symbols. It was found buried near the Theater of Dionysos, which hosted duels and other similar contests when the sphere was created. It has been suggested that the sphere was used in magic rituals to achieve victory in these contests (from the museum's description). On one side Helios is depicted as "Kosmokrator", the all-powerful Ruler of the Universe. He is sitting on a throne beneath an arch and holds a whip and three blazing torches. The dogs at his feet most possibly symbolise the sky's bright "dog stars": Sirius and Prokyon. The remainder of the sphere is filled with astral, magical, alchemical and geometrical symbols, allegorical animal scenes, numbers and incomprehensible inscriptions, perhaps invocations to Helios. Only one word, carved inside one of five intersecting circles, is clearly read: ΑΙΘΗΡ, which is the first of nature's five elements (ether, earth, water, fire and air). (From the museum's online site).
Title: Magical sphere helios from theater of dionysus acropolis museum athens greece
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Author: Deiadameian
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License: CC BY-SA 4.0
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