Medicine chest

The silver-and-niello representation of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing, on the sliding lid of this chest identifies it as part of a doctor’s medicinal armoury. The lids of the drawers could be lifted using moveable handles. Three lead weights, presumably used for weighing out medication, were found in them. The medicine chest may have belonged to a doctor who carried out his duties in the infirmary of Xanten’s Vetera legionary encampment.