The recent excavation at Vindolanda, a Roman fort, unearthed a small pendant shaped like a phallus, known as a fascinus. Made from black jet, this talisman is believed to have provided protection against the evil eye and misfortune. Historically, phalluses were commonly worn or carved to act as good luck charms, particularly amongst soldiers and children. With Vindolanda boasting the highest number of phallus representations in military contexts, this discovery underscores their cultural significance in ancient Roman life, associated with vitality and safeguarding wealth.
This was a fascinus, a talisman shaped like a penis and testes believed to have apotropaic powers to protect against the evil eye cast by the envious.
Phalluses were worn as good luck charms to ward off curses and misfortune, and as symbols of vitality and strength, they served personal protection for the wearer.
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