Roman Carnelian Intaglio Minerva Athena Bellona AD100

Large Genuine Ancient Roman Engraved Semi-Precious Carnelian Gemstone Intaglio (Seal) Depicting an Archer (The Roman Goddess of War Minerva or Bellona?). Mounted into Contemporary 14kt (Solid) White Gold Ring Size 8 ½ (Resizing Available).

CLASSIFICATION: Ancient Roman Intaglio Carved Carnelian Seal. Contemporary 14kt White Gold Ring.

ATTRIBUTION: Eastern Roman Empire (Syria), 1st Century A.D.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS: 16mm (height) * 11mm (width) * 4mm (thickness).

WEIGHT: 6.01 carats.

CONDITION: Very good! Minor chipping, good polish.

CONTEMPORARY RING: A variety of other gold or sterling silver settings in common (whole) sizes to select from (see here). Custom sizing available upon request. Pendant settings are also available if you prefer a pendant and chain rather than a ring.

GEMSTONE IMAGE: Images of the carnelian intaglio before setting are available below.

DETAIL: A very nicely preserved genuine Roman carved carnelian intaglio seal dating to the 1st or 2nd Century A.D. It is in excellent condition, though in hand it is far more beautiful than the images here suggest. It is a gorgeous, deep red, transparent semi-precious carnelian gemstone, exquisitely carved. Unfortunately the piece proved very difficult to image, and the pictures here really do not show just how gorgeous this ancient piece of art truly is. The color of the carnelian is a deep reddish-orange. The image depicts what appears to be a helmeted female form in long robes, holding a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. Given the geographic/cultural location of the find, it seems to be an Easternized depiction of the Roman Goddess Minerva, known to the Greeks as Athena (Pallas Athene). Although in Roman Mythology Minerva was not commonly depicted with a bow, her predecessor Athena was on occasion depicted with a bow. This was especially true of the “Eastern” version of (Greek) Athena and (Roman) Minerva; as reflected in the great temples throughout the region such as that to Minerva in Tunisia and at least ten major temples of Athena in Turkey.

In the Eastern Mediterranean from Turkey through the Levant down to Egypt, the version of Athena/Minerva portrayed possessed a considerably different “flavor” than in Greece and Rome. This was in part due to a greater blending of Eastern and Western deities in this region, where Persian, Parthian, Hittite, and Assyrian deities were oftentimes depicted with a bow. In fact the region was influenced to some extent by the Parthians and their successors the Sassanians (founders of the Persian Empire) who renown for their expertise as archers. In fact the term, “parting shot” is actually derived from the practice of mounted Parthian archers while in retreat firing arrows at pursuers even while mounted at full gallop. It was known as a “Parthian” (not parting) shot. These various Persian/Levantian cultures were historically at least as significant as the Romans and Greeks were in defining the outlook of the religious characteristics of the region. Looking back two thousand years, oftentimes deciphering a portrayal such as this one here is part guesswork – the original intent open to various interpretations. Even two thousand years ago the identification of what particular deity is depicted would likely vary from one part of the Mediterranean world to the other.

One would also be remiss not to mention the Roman Goddess Bellona, the consort (wife, sister, or daughter) of the Roman God of War Mars. Bellona has been depicted with a bow, and was an extremely popular Goddess of the Romans, especially in time of war. For a period of 250 years there was even a temple to the Goddess Bellona in Rome itself. Bellona was known to the Greeks as Enyo ("horror") and was known as the "Waster of Cities" and frequently depicted as being covered in blood and carrying weapons of war. She was frequently portrayed as a companion of the Greek Ares (Roman Mars), the chief god of war, and has been variously said to be his mother or sister. In fact many believe that Enyo predates Ares. Notwithstanding Greek Enyo however, most depictions of a Roman Goddess whether Bellona or Minerva, or even a Roman of any definition, possessing a bow, would almost by definition in the first century A.D. be in the context of the Eastern Roman world. Although there is some evidence of the widespread use of a bow and arrow in Roman Britain, generally the use of archers in the Roman Legionary Armies was a function of foreign auxiliaries.

Roman Legionnaires simply did not use bows. A depiction of a Roman “soldier” with a bow is likely a depiction of a provincial auxiliary (such as a Cretan or Numidian). Most archers, slingers, light infantry, and mounted cavalry were auxiliary units recruited from Roman Provinces, with the heavy infantryman of the Roman Army was armed with short sword, spear, shield, and body armor. Although the Roman Legions were a magnificent military and political force, they were almost entirely heavy infantry. They relied on foreign “auxiliary” units to add complements of archers, slingers, light cavalry, and light infantry. Lower paid than the Roman citizen-soldiers, nonetheless they were permanent units attached to specific Legions. Numidians were used as early as the third century B.C. by the Romans to provide light infantry armed with slingers, bows and arrows, as well as cavalry armed with bows and javelins. Though the Numidians provided both light infantry and light cavalry for the Roman Legions, and in the form of archers, spearman, and slingers; they were most favored for their spearmen. Julius Caesar for instance preferred Baleric slingers and Cretan archers (Baleric from a Mediterranean Island off the coast of Spain; and Cretan from of course Crete).

Of course the one Roman Goddess frequently depicted with a bow was Diana, goddess of the hunt. But this characterization is entirely derived from her Greek counterpart and predecessor, Artemis. So it seems most likely that the depiction is that of an Eastern personification of Minerva; or a Graeco-Roman (and still perhaps Eastern) personification of Enyo (Bellona) or Pallas Athene. As popular as Athena/Minerva was in nearby Turkey and Syria, a depiction of Minerva seems most likely the intended portrayal. In any event, the intaglio carving is quite well done, exceptionally sharp in rendition and very well preserved. There is some minor chipping along the edges which is virtually unnoticed except in the photo enlargements here of the unset intaglio. Of course this is to be expected of such a brittle artifact almost 2,000 years old. And once set, as you can see, these slight irregularities are simply almost impossible to discern. We might add that the flourish about and around the figure’s head is intentional – carved there not a flaw or crack. It appears to be the goddess’s veil, shown billowing or blowing about her head. This depiction of a billowing veil was quite commonly used in conjunction with depictions of the Roman Goddess Aeternitas, the goddess of eternity, or stability. Again, taken with the depiction of a female goddess with a bow, it could be intended to convey the eternal aspects of the Greco-Roman Goddess of War, Minerva/Athena (or even Bellona, consort of Rome’s God of War, Mars).

Unbroken intaglio seals are rather difficult to come by and tend to be fairly costly (see here). We have set this seal into a 14kt solid white gold ring, which is included with the intaglio. It can be resized. Should you prefer, there other ring styles available (see here) in a variety of standard sizes. As well, the intaglio could be reset into a pendant setting in either sterling silver or 14kt gold. Whether worn as a ring or as a pendant, the carved carnelian intaglio is quite striking, and can be worn with elegance and distinction. In fact, in ancient Rome such intaglio carved carnelian gemstones were used to press the wearer's "seal" into lead, clay, or wax, leaving an impression. More often than not the seal was mounted into a ring as a bezel. Carnelian gemstones and jewelry were very popular throughout the Roman Empire, and carnelian was widely used to carve cameos and signet/intaglio rings. Aside from being quite beautiful, carnelian seals and signets had the practical advantage of not sticking to wax.

HISTORY: The Romans acquired their taste for carnelian, a beautifully colored reddish-orange semi-precious gemstone from the Phoenicians, who traded extensively in carnelian. Since before recorded history evidence suggests that carnelian was one of the most favored gemstones for at least the past 10,000 years. Two of the richest archaeological treasures, the tombs of both the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen and Sumerian Queen Pu-abi's tomb at Ur contained many splendid examples of carnelian jewelry. The red variety of carnelian was most popular in the ancient world. Carnelian was widely favored by the Sumerian/Mesopotamian cultures and then their successors the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans for its use in jewelry. However it was just as popular for use in carved intaglio seals which originated in Mesopotamia (Sumeria) sometime in the 5th millennium B.C. The production of such incised carnelian seals was a highly developed art form by the 4th millennium B.C. There are many splendid examples of intaglio carnelian rings and signets produced by ancient Roman and Greek craftsmen still in existence today. A particularly noteworthy collection is housed at The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Minerva was a war-like goddess, and she usually was depicted with spear and shield, and sometimes with helmet and parazonium. In this instance she is depicted helmeted, with what appears to be a shield in one hand and a parazonium in the other. The parazonium is a short sword typically carried by Roman officers and also frequently depicted in the possession of various Roman deities, though a fully intact specimen has never been unearthed. However Minerva was sometimes depicted with an aegis, a small figure of Victory (a trophy signifying victory over an adversary), or an attendant owl. Minerva was reputed to guide men through the dangers of war, bestowing the virtues of prudence, courage, and perseverance. Minerva was also the goddess of wisdom and patron goddess of the arts. Minerva was the equivalent in Roman Mythology to Pallas Athene in Greek Mythology. She was frequently depicted on the reverse of Roman coinage, especially that coinage issued by Emperor Domitian. As well she was frequently depicted on the Roman Colonial coinage of Greece (known as “Greek Imperial” coins).

Her Roman roots are obscure; it is believed that in Roman Mythology she might have grown out of the Etruscan Goddess Falerii or Menrva. Even further back in the ancient Minoan-Mycenaean civilization archaeologists have found references to “Atanapotinija”, or “Lady Atana” (“Athene”) in the ruins of the Minoan palace at Cnossus on Crete, destroyed by fire sometime around the year 1375 B.C. But in that great blending of cultures which was the Greco-Roman world, the Romans came to identify the progenitor of Minerva as Athena. To the Greeks Minerva was Athena, surname Pallas – and sometimes simply referred to as “Pallas”. Athena was goddess of wisdom, patron goddess of agriculture, industry, and the arts including pottery and sculpture, weaving and women's work, olive trees and olive oil, and the goddess of the defense of towns and cities. Her image, whether full figure or merely a bust, was amongst the most common themes of ancient Greek coinage. Athena was one of the original twelve great Olympian Gods, who in mythology sprung fully grown and armed from the head of Zeus.

As Minerva Medica she is the patroness of physicians. Athena/Minerva had a great cult following, the principle centers of which were Crete, Mycenae, Athens, and Rome (read more here). A great temple to Minerva was built in the late Roman Republican period in the first century B.C. in Assisi. The temple was erected by the quatorvirates Gneus Cesius and Titus Cesius Priscus at their own expense. At the time the temple dominated the Forum complex, and even today, still dominates the "Piazza del Comune" in the heart of the heart of Assisi. A great web site devoted to the architecture and history of the temple may be found here.

Minerva’s worship as a goddess of war approached the enthusiasm which was normally accorded to Mars. The erection of another temple to her by Pompey out of the spoils of his Eastern conquests shows that by then she had been identified with the Greek Athena Nike, bestower of victory. Under the emperor Domitian, who claimed her special protection, the worship of Minerva attained its greatest vogue in Rome. Though she was worshiped in many far-flung corners of the Roman Empire, her cult worship was most notably in conjunction with Jupiter and Juno in the great Capitoline temple. Her temple on the Aventine Hill was a meeting place for skilled artisans, actors, and writers. The ruins of another colossal temple to Minerva still stand in Tunisia, North Africa.

One of the greatest civilizations of recorded history was the ancient Roman Empire. In exchange for a very modest amount of contemporary currency, you can possess a small part of that great civilization in the form of a 2,000 year old piece of jewelry. The Roman civilization, in relative terms the greatest military power in the history of the world, was founded in the 8th century (B.C.). In the 4th Century (B.C.) the Romans were the dominant power on the Italian Peninsula, having defeated the Etruscans and Celts. In the 3rd Century (B.C.) the Romans conquered Sicily, and in the following century defeated Carthage, and controlled the Greece. Throughout the remainder of the 2nd Century (B.C.) the Roman Empire continued its gradual conquest of the Hellenistic (Greek Colonial) World by conquering Syria and Macedonia; and finally came to control Egypt in the 1st Century (B.C.).

The pinnacle of Roman power was achieved in the 1st Century (A.D.) as Rome conquered much of Britain and Western Europe. For a brief time, the era of “Pax Romana”, a time of peace and consolidation reigned. Civilian emperors were the rule, and the culture flourished with a great deal of liberty enjoyed by the average Roman Citizen. However within 200 years the Roman Empire was in a state of steady decay, attacked by Germans, Goths, and Persians. In the 4th Century (A.D.) the Roman Empire was split between East and West. The Great Emperor Constantine temporarily arrested the decay of the Empire, but within a hundred years after his death the Persians captured Mesopotamia, Vandals infiltrated Gaul and Spain, and the Goths even sacked Rome itself. Most historians date the end of the Western Roman Empire to 476 (A.D.) when Emperor Romulus Augustus was deposed. However the Eastern Roman Empire (The Byzantine Empire) survived until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D.

At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched from Britain in the West, throughout most of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, and into Asia Minor. Valuables such as coins and jewelry were commonly buried for safekeeping, and inevitably these ancient citizens would succumb to one of the many perils of the ancient world. Oftentimes the survivors of these individuals did not know where the valuables had been buried, and today, two thousands years later caches of coins and rings are still commonly uncovered throughout Europe and Asia Minor. Roman Soldiers oftentimes came to possess large quantities of “booty” from their plunderous conquests, and routinely buried their treasure for safekeeping before they went into battle. If they met their end in battle, most often the whereabouts of their treasure was likewise, unknown. Throughout history these treasures have been inadvertently discovered by farmers in their fields, uncovered by erosion, and the target of unsystematic searches by treasure seekers. With the introduction of metal detectors and other modern technologies to Eastern Europe in the past three or four decades, an amazing number of new finds are seeing the light of day 2,000 years or more after they were originally hidden by their past owners. And with the liberalization of post-Soviet Eastern Europe, new markets have opened eager to share in these treasures of the Roman Empire.

Domestic shipping is $3.99 for first class mail or $6.99 for Priority Mail. Domestic rates include USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Canadian shipments are $3.99 for Air Mail; International shipments are $4.99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA). I can add most other items I sell to the shipment for only $0.99 each. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. Trackable and insured shipments are required by PayPal for all eBay purchases utilizing PayPal as a payment method. Therefore shipping costs for this item includes the fee for postal insurance ($16 for domestic shipments; $36 for international shipments); and is required for whenever PayPal is used as the payment method.

We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price.

Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world – but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.

I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the “business” of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly – even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."