P. 156.—The Gallic Mars of Treviri, armed with a curiously-formed, scroll-shaped shield, and the peculiar Gallic weapon the lancea. Eeverse of a coin of Constantine.
P.
160.—The Good Shepherd. In the field are seen the sun and moon
conjoined, that most ancient emblem of a divine presence. The letters
seem to imply IAH . K(omen), " The Name Jehovah." A relic of very early
Christian times, perhaps dating from the end of the second century, to
judge from the goodness of its style. Roman. Red Jasper.
P. 162.—Apollo, conspicuously displaying his shoulder, Horace's " can-dentes humerus." The words in the field (BAI, prize, Coptic) are an addition of later times, converting the gem into a talisman. Greco-Italian. Sard.
P.
104.—Locust mounted upon a goat. The insect enjoyed a mighty reputation
as an amulet against the Evil-eye : on which account Pisistratus set up
its figure in the Acropolis. Roman. Sard.
P. 169.·—Fate holding her distaff ; the thread and spindle drop from her right hand. Early Greek. Brown and shaded Agate.
P. 172.—The foot of Hermes, messenger of Death, crushing the butterfly, Life. Roman. Jacinth.
P. 185.—The caducous of the same god. Alexandrian Greek. Brown Calcedony.
P.
192.'—The same deity, evoking a ghost from Hades by virtue of his
caduceus. The letters in the field are the added initials of some later
Roman owner. Greco-Italian. Banded Agate.
P.
210.—Serapis ; in the field the serpent of Esculapius, whose place he
usurped in the later mythology. Dark-red Sard, verging upon Red Jasper.
Late Roman.
P. 215.—Goddess enthroned upon a thensa, or sacred car, drawn by two elephants. This type symbolises " .ZEtebxitas," as
we learn from a medal of Faustina's on which it occurs. This gem
probably alludes to the deification of that empress. Amongst the
Stosch Gems there is an antique paste taken from this identical stone.
Roman. Bright-yellow Sard.
P.
234.—Bust of Sapor IL, borne up on four wings, as a deity. In the field
the sun and Tnoon conjoined, expressing the same idea. Legend, " Piruz
Shahpuhri," the victorious Sapor : a title (Pyroses) which Ammian mentions as given to that king by his soldiers. Persian (about a.d. 350). Almandine.
P.
251.—The goddess Roma watching over Romulus and Remus, suckled by the
she-wolf, whom the shepherd Faustulus has just discovered. Early Roman.
Sard.
P. 269. Mask of an old woman, the comic nutrix. Greek. Brown Calcedony.
P.
275.—Victory borne through the air in the serpent-car of Ceres. It
being an established rule that no signet-device was ever merely
capricious,
