Terrecotte di cavalieri dal deposito del Pizzone (Taranto): iconografia e interpretazione del soggetto

Among the most important sanctuaries of the Spartan colony Taras in the late archaic and classical periods was the one situated in contrada Pizzone, where, since the end of 19th century, large amounts of votive materials - mainly terracotta figurines and pottery - have been found. Lacking monumental remains, these items are the only evidence of cult practices related to a female divinity of fertility, as suggested by the coroplastic themes and an inscription naming Gaia, the Earth as divine being.
Most of the statuettes represent seated or standing female figures, followed by statuettes of animals and children, although male offerers and horsemen are also present in significant quantities. This is in fact an aspect that raises interesting points of discussion in relation to iconography and interpretation.
It indicates male participation in ceremonies, probably in some sort of connection with youths’ rites of passage; at the same time it confirms the importance of Tarentine cavalry in the social context of the polis, which seems to have been largely influenced by aristocratic ideology. In both cases the motherland tradition could have played a significant role.