Silver amulet, designed to protect women in childbirth. The amulet was felt to combine magical and medical properties, and this one also combines classical pagan and Christian beliefs. On one side is Medusa, a monster with long snake hair terminating in lions' heads, who had the power to turn to stone anyone who looked at her. In the outer circle around her one can read a Greek invocation to the womb. On the other side, inscriptions pray to the Lord to protect the woman wearing the amulet.
The practice of wearing amulets goes back to classical antiquity. Double-sided amulets like this one continue a tradition that goes back to the early centuries AD, especially in Egypt. They were designed as talismans against the evil demons believed to bring diseases to mankind, and obstruct childbirth.
