This sculpture tells us a lot about Roman ideas of death. The snake is a transformative symbol because it sheds its skin but doesn't die, and the pine cone falls from an evergreen tree but contains seeds that create a new tree, continuing the cycle of death and rebirth.
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ or the British Museum. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
Share this link: