Israel Exploration Journal

THE THREE GRACES OF GADERA. The silver ring, found in the town adjoining Hammat-Gader, features a rotating medallion at its center. The closeups on either side of the ring show the medallion’s two faces; the outside photos show the impressions made by each face. The images on the right are of Zeus in his temple; the ones on the left show the Three Graces, Greek goddesses associated with Aphrodite and who also represented good health. They hold each other’s shoulders, indicating the forces of growth. According to author Dvorjetski, the architectural features framing them represent the spa at Hammat-Gader.