Hecate is an underworld goddess originally worshiped in the southeastern part of Asia Minor. She could return souls to Earth, where they manifested themselves as tormentors of humans and caused nightmares, epilepsy or madness. When Hecate was favorably disposed, she could provide protection against evil. Statues of Hecate were therefore placed at city walls and houses. Here the goddess is seen three times with a koremaat in between, which refers to the fertile soil and the underworld. The statue is a Roman copy of a Greek original by the sculptor Alcamenes (second half of the 5th century BC), who worked on behalf of the city of Athens and made the statue to be placed on the Acropolis.