Cybele in a Car Drawn by Lions [reverse] c. 1554

This is a bronze medal, made in the late 16th century by Pier Paolo Galeotti, depicting Cybele in a car drawn by lions. Galeotti lived in an era where classical mythology was being reinterpreted through a Christian lens. Here, Cybele, the Phrygian earth goddess, is presented in a powerful posture, symbolizing fertility and nature. The lions drawing her car are not merely beasts of burden but represent untamed natural forces under her command. It is unusual that the female figure of Cybele commands such power. The imagery may reference Lucretius's poem 'De Rerum Natura,' linking Cybele to the earth and the procreative power of nature. The medal offers a glimpse into the Renaissance fascination with antiquity. It presents a rich combination of myth, philosophy, and the burgeoning scientific curiosity that defined the period. Yet, the medal also serves as a reminder of the constraints placed on women, even as they are deified as powerful figures in mythology.