Centuries ago, some person whose name has been forgotten by time, offered this simple though charming little votive to win the favor of his gods. The animal is perhaps a horse or a donkey, valuable beasts of burden, and therefore too costly to be sacrificed in real life. Instead, the votary chose this humble substitute. After the passage of millennia, it is perhaps the only clue to that ancient life. It seems to radiate with optimistic hopes and dreams for health, wealth and happiness that have changed little through history.