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All hail Glykon! So who or what is Glykon and why is he the patron of my collection? Glykon (Γλύκων), also spelled Glycon, literally "the sweet one" in Koine Greek, was a snake. But not an ordinary snake. A snake who was also a god. But not an ordinary god. He was a living puppet, created by what by all measures appears to be a 2nd century AD conman. A living snake with attached blonde wig and a human head, its mouth moved by horsehair. The conman, Alexander of Abonoteichus, apparently gained a massive following, wealth, and influence in his native Asia Minor and in the Balkans, charging fees for the prophecies uttered by Glykon. Alexander was reportedly a hired magician who worked for another charlatan before deciding to strike on his own and chose the most obvious career path, that is one of a cult leader. Alexander was also known for his feud with the satirist Lucian, who left his a hilarious depiction of the cult, the leader, and the eponymous snake itself. Some people, including leading politicians of the day, made some bad life choices because of what the snake told them. Lucian gleefully adds that the prophecies were so vague that Alexander always could claim that the snake was right all along. The popularity of the cult outlived them all, as references to Glykon appear well into 3rd century AD. Glykon is also featured on several provincial coins and a spectacular cult sculpture of it (pictured) was unearthed in ancient Tomis in what's today Romania. Why a fake god as a patron? Because why not? It makes one realize that no matter how many ages pass, humanity stays the same. It's also a nice link to ancient coins, as Glykon and other sacred serpents were prominently featured. You can also send me a drachma for a fake and inaccurate prophecy on the topic you desire! There are discounts for multiple orders! 
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