Fascinum

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Fascinum

An artificial male phallus reportedly used in witchcraft ceremonies. Evidence of the artificiality of claimed copulation with the devil is the frequent reference to the coldness of the phallus. Centuries before the great witchcraft manias of Europe, the fascinum was used in ancient religious rituals, such as those connected with worship of the god Priapus; such phalli were also known in ancient Egypt. Probably the earliest known is that of the fertility god Min at Koptos, around 5500 B.C.E.

Sources:

Knight, Richard Payne. A Discourse on the Worship of Priapus. 1786. Reprint, Secaucus, N.J: University Books, 1974.

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