The elaborate costume and jewelry this woman
wears confirm her high rank in society. Her
gesture--arms held straight out from the sides,
palms open--is almost certainly an attitude of
prayer, an appeal to the gods. Is she a priestess
wearing her robes of office? An initate in some
mystery cult? A noblewoman come to ask
blessings from the heavens? Centuries ago some
mortal woman left this lovely statue as a votive to
win the favor of the gods. We cannot know for
certian what she wished for, or if those wishes
were granted. Yet, in the presence of this statue,
we recognize that the essentials of human life
have changed but little across time.
- (PF.1327)
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