Fragment of a Stele of a Military God in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2008

Fragment of a Stele with a Military God
Perhaps 2nd-4th century AD

Accession # 25.2.14

Beneath an arch supported on square pillars, only one of which is preserved, stands a frontal figure in military dress. He holds a partially broken spear in his right hand and a short attribute in his left. At the lower right are the remains of the feet, legs, and the spread wings of what is presumably an eagle.

Military gods were especially popular in the Roman period. In particular, some Egyptian gods who traditionally bore falcon heads now appeared in the guise of soldiers or soldier-emperors.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.