GODDESS ANAHIT

Western Armenia, province Erznka, 1872

Hellenistic period, fragment of a bronze statue, British Museum Anahit was the Armenian pagan goddess of fertility, healing, wisdom and beauty. Until now, only fragments the head and a hand of one bronze statue of Anahit from Hellenistic period, have been preserved. They were found in 1872 in the ancient Armenian Erznka province (territory of modern Turkey). The bronze head was acquired by an Italian collector Alessandro Castellani, who eventually sold it to the British Museum, where it is exhibited up till now.

Anahit was one of the supreme deities and people called her “The great queen or lady,” ” The golden-mother,” “The glory of nation.” After the adoption of christianity Armenian people mixed the beloved goddess’ cult with Virgin Mary. The pagan fest of maternity an fertility kept on April 7 was attached to “Great Lady” Anahit’s cult.