Antefix

In grand buildings, the face of each stone antefix was richly carved, often with the anthemion ornament.

[1] In less grand buildings moulded ceramic antefixes, usually terracotta, might be decorated with figures heads, either of humans, mythological creatures, or astrological iconography, especially in the Roman period.

The frightening features of the Gorgon, with its petrifying eyes and sharp teeth, was also a popular motif to ward off evil.

It may have had special significance in imperial Rome since the constellation Capricorn was adopted by the emperor Augustus as his own lucky star sign and appeared on coins and legionary standards.

The earliest examples in museum collections date back to the 7th century BCE in both Greece and Etruria.