Zeus : a study in ancient religion - Warburg Institute

i86 The Delphic Ompha/os
The worshipper on the coin is probably Septimius Severus himself.
Another copper of Megara (fig. 128)^ struck by Geta, repeats the
type, but omits the emperor. J. N. Svoronos^ and W. H. Roscher*
infer that Aigina and Megara had similar oiupJialoi of their own in
the service of Apollon PytJiios.
A copper coin of Patara (fig. 129)^, struck by Gordianus Pius,
represents Apollon, with a bay-branch in his right hand and a
bow(?) in his left, standing beside a small omphalos, on which
sits a single eagle with spread wings. Another copper of Patara
(fig. 130)', struck in the same reign, shows the god between an om-
phalos, surmounted by an eagle and entwined with a snake, and a
Fig. 129. Fig. 130.
Xx'xf^oA-lebes, from Avhich a second snake is drinking. The substitu-
tion of one eagle for two is a noteworthy change, probably brought
about by oriental influence ; for an eagle on a sacred stone had in
Levantine art of the Graeco-Roman age a solar significance", which
would well suit Apollon and might suffice to modify his Pythian
attribute.
We have now passed in review the literary and the monumental
evidence for the eagles connected with the Delphic omphalos. We
have yet to determine their original meaning. More than fifty years
ago C. Boetticher in the course of a careful monograph" arrived
^ Brit. Mils. Cat. Coins Attica etc. p. 124 pi. 22, 7 ('two birds (ravens?) '), Imhoof-
Blumer and P. Gardner Ninn. Coinm. Pans. \. 6 pi. A, 9 = my fig. 128 ('omphalos surmounted
by eagles, or altar on which ravens '), J. N. Svoronos in the Journ. Intern.