الثعبان و دلالاته في المغرب القديم

Abstract EN

The present study aims at sheding light on the most significant symbolic connotations releted to the snake and its local and foreign origins in the ancient Maghreb.

What draw the attention is the variety connotations and symbols of this reptile and their contradiction at the same time in different civilizations.

It conbines good and evil, life and death.

It was considred like a sacred God, and sometimes was associated with some Gods and mythical heroes, such as Bass, Gilgamesh, Zeus, Asclepius (Asklépios) and Ashmun.

It was also a sign of immortality, protection, health, healing and fertility, and a symbol of sin according to the divine books, and many myths have been created around him.

It indicates the amount of dread and fear that spread in man, and some beliefs related to the snake are still exist in our popular culture.