| San Sosti Axe-Head | |
|---|---|
 San Sosti Axe-Head on display in the British Museum | |
| Material | Bronze |
| Size | 16.5 cm high, 0.85 kg in weight |
| Writing | Ancient Greek |
| Created | 520 BC |
| Discovered | 1846 |
| Present location | British Museum,London |
| Registration | GR 1884.6-14.1 (Bronze 252) |
TheSan Sosti Axe-Head is an ancientbronze head of anaxe that was originally found near the town ofSan Sosti, in the province ofCosenza inCalabria, southern Italy. Based on itsAncient Greek inscription, it is now considered to be an elaborately craftedvotive offering to the gods.[1]
The axe-head was discovered near San Sosti,Calabria in 1846. It was probably made inSybaris nearby, which had a long history of producing luxury items for affluent clientele. After being uncovered, this ornate object was later bought by the collector and goldsmith Alessandro Castellani, from whom it was eventually acquired by theBritish Museum in 1884.[2]
The castbronze wedge-shaped axe-head is elaborately decorated with what seems to be a wingedsphinx on the front as well aspalmettes andvolutes. On the blade of the axe is inscribed an important dedication in theAchaean dialect ofAncient Greek that can be dated to the sixth century BC, which translates as:
I am the sacred property of Hera-in-the-Plain: Kyniskos thebutcher dedicated me, atithe from his works.
Scholars have been unable to determine the location of Hera-in-the Plain, although the inscription clearly indicates the wealth and aspirations of its dedicator.
