Roman terracotta chicken
A general, the Roman chicken and superstition.
"If they will not eat, let them drink!" (ut biberent, quando esse nolent).
This is what Publius Claudius Pulcher shouted when the sacred chickens refused to eat, and by their feeding behavior did not predict him a happy outcome of the upcoming naval battle, and unceremoniously threw them overboard.
Pulcher was a senior consul of a Roman naval fleet during the First Punic War, 249 BC, and planned a surprise attack on the city of Drepana, (modern Trapani), in Sicily.
This had been preceded by an unfortunate event. The Carthaginians had cunningly broken through the Roman fleet besieging Lilybaeum (Marsala), and supplied their troops stationed there with supplies. The disgrace had to be avenged and so the Romans attacked Drepana, which ended in defeat.
If only he had listened to the chickens
He returned to Rome defeated and was accused of treason - but not because he had lost the naval battle, but because he had committed sacrilege against the sacred chickens.
It was the end of his career, because he was condemned and sent into exile, where he had time enough to think about whether he should not have listened better to the fowl.
- Height ca.10 cm
- length ca. 8 cm
- 2.century A.D., first half
The Roman chicken - symbol of vigilance and fertility
The Roman chicken was a symbol of vigilance, fertility and vitality. Its feeding behavior also gave the Romans information about their plans, as Publius Claudius Pulcher had hoped before his planned naval battle.
The Roman chicken also had the status of a saint.
Worship of the gods and superstition - how often are they close to each other!
A Roman chicken for a German home
The Roman chicken with the venerable ancestors, is made of finely ground alabaster plaster, a high-quality natural material. Alabaster plaster dries very hard and is used in art and monument conservation.
The original Roman chicken was found in Nida-Heddernheim, in the older Praunheim cemetery, in grave 1.
Let a Roman chicken watch over your home too!
Not a toy for children! Unsuitable for small children. May only be used under adult supervision.
This replica is an authentic teaching tool and for your classroom or to collect. Make your history lesson different for a change.
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