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Ceres Searching with Pig
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Roman Republic denarius, Vibia 6 (90 BC).
Obv.: Apollo laureate head r., insc. PANSA behind
Rev.: Ceres searching with torches for Proserpina-Persephone, pig before, insc. C. VIBIVS C. F. behind
Pigs were enemies to crops and thus Ceres the crop-goddess (Ovid, Met. 15.111-13); a piglet was the standard offering for initiates to the mysteries of Ceres-Demeter at Eleusis near Athens.
Related links: Dying to Help Out // Concordia / Ceres with Poppies // The Boar in the Garden / A Parley of Flowers
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