Bronze, 55.84 grams, 45.26 mm. A very nice 1st Century A.D. Torso of Priapus the Roman God of Fertility. This piece has been broken (head, feet and phallic) and 'gifted' as a votive offering to ensure the fertility of land or a marriage. Sex in Roman times was a symbol of power and therefore the phallic symbol stood for power in Roman society. Priapus was the Greek protector of gardens and domestic animals and fruits. He is a son of Dionysus and Aphrodite, and a strong phallic fertility deity. Carved images of Priapus, with large ithyphallic genitals, were placed in fields and gardens to ensure fruitfulness and protection. This god was imported into Rome from Lampascus where Pausanias reported he was supreme among all gods. The Roman Priapus was far more popular than his Greek version. Found Pompeii in the late 19th Century. Ex. Pullen collection. Statues of Priapus are quite rare.