A Roman Bronze Bull from the Floor of the Mashhad Pool in Sepphoris in the Galilee

Abstract

The Mashhad Pool is situated east of ancient Sepphoris, receiving its water from an aqueduct that supplied water to the Roman and Byzantine city. During its excavation, a small bronze figurine of a bull was pulled out of the plastered floor of the pool. The bull is dated to the Roman period. This paper deals with the iconography, function, and possible meaning of the bronze figurine, and the circumstances of its deposit in the pool’s floor. We argue that the figurine served as a foundation deposit in order to guarantee abundant water and fecundity, perhaps during a water festival (Maioumas) in the city. The bull image fits such a purpose, as bulls are associated with rain and storm gods.