Zeus : a study in ancient religion . a gooses^%g containing a young reptile in the mud after dark {ib. 13) and duly dis-covered the new-born Asklepios next morning to the astonishment of thebystanders {ib. 14). Alexandros now became the exhibitor of the god. He tookinto his bosom the Asklepios from Pella, twined its body round his neck andlet its tail hang down, but kept its head hidden under his armpit and showed thelinen mask instead {ib. 15). The people were astounded at the miraculouslyrapid growth of the snake {ib. 16). Bithynians, Galatians, Thracians cameflocking in; pictures, portraits
Zeus : a study in ancient religion . a gooses^%g containing a young reptile in the mud after dark {ib. 13) and duly dis-covered the new-born Asklepios next morning to the astonishment of thebystanders {ib. 14). Alexandros now became the exhibitor of the god. He tookinto his bosom the Asklepios from Pella, twined its body round his neck andlet its tail hang down, but kept its head hidden under his armpit and showed thelinen mask instead {ib. 15). The people were astounded at the miraculouslyrapid growth of the snake {ib. 16). Bithynians, Galatians, Thracians cameflocking in; pictures, portraits, and images, some of bronze, some of silver, weremade ; and the god was named Glykon in obedience to an oracle of his own{ib. 18 ei^i rXvKwv, rpiTov alfxa Aioy, (^dos dvdpoonoLai). From this time onwardsAlexandros drove a roaring trade in oracles {ib. 19 ff). A tube consisting of thewindpipes of cranes introduced into the artificial head enabled an assistantoutside to make the linen Asklepios answer questions and deliver autophone. 1084 Appendix L oracles \ib. 26). The fame of Glykon spread to Italy and made a sensation atRome (/(^. 30 ff.). Mysteries were instituted with hierophants, daidouchoi^ anda full ceremonial lasting three days {ib. 38 ff.). Alexandres even petitioned theemperor that new coins might be struck with an obverse design of Glykon anda reverse of himself bearing the sthnmata of Asklepios and the hdrpe of Perseus{ib. 58). The whole narrative is sufficiently amazing. But perhaps more amazingstill is the fact that much collateral evidence can be quoted in its coins of Abonou Teichos from the reigns of Antoninus Pius, LuciusVerus, Geta, Severus Alexander, Gordianus Pius, and Trebonianus Gallus repre-sent the new-fangled god as a snake with a more or less human face {Brit. Coins Pontus, etc. p. 83 pi. 19, i=my fig. 928, Waddington—Babelon —Reinach Motm. gr. dAs. Min. i. 129 ff. pi. 17, 12, 13, 16 ( = my fig. 929), 19with legend fAYKHN,
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