Gold Orphic Prayer Sheet
Greek
c.350-300 BC
Folded in with the ashes of the deceased in a bronze urn, this lamella provides instructions about the path to be followed in the underworld to ensure salvation. Gold lamellae are quite rare.
The soul of the dead is thirsty, this guides the soul to the correct spring from which to drink (other springs in the underworld cause memory loss). The soul is often asked about its origin and should reply with the formula provided on the sheet.
From Catherine Willis
Source: The Getty Museum