A possible case of Crouzon syndrome in a female figurine from Bracara Augusta from the 2nd century CE

Abstract

Artworks are not just objects of beauty but also historical documents that can reveal diseases unknown to ancient physicians, such as congenital disorders. A bronze female figurine from the 2nd century AD, unearthed during excavations in the Roman city of Bracara Augusta, currently the city of Braga, presents intriguing facial features, strongly indicating an underlying medical condition. The abnormal facial traits point to craniofacial dysostosis and, more precisely, Crouzon Syndrome. The portrayed figure wears the walled crown of the city’s patron goddesses, Tyche/Fortuna, the earlier Greek goddess of Fate (or Chance), the patron goddess of Greek and Roman cities. The attribute of the tutelary goddesses is the cornucopia of abundance, symbolizing fertility, wealth and well-being. However, instead of this attribute, the young lady carries a serpent entwined on a rod under her right arm, an attribute related to the cult of health deities like Asclepius (the Roman Aesculapius) and the Latin goddess Fortuna. This essay will discuss the features of this figurine, relating her possible medical condition with the symbology of the walled crown and entwined serpent and her social-cultural and religious status.

Keywords

• Icono-diagnosis
• palaeopathology
• craniofacial dysostosis
• Crouzon syndrome
• Graeco-Roman medicine
• Bracara Augusta