In Ancient Roman society, jewellery was an essential accessory, providing the wearer with a public display of their wealth, social status, and identity. Gold and silver pieces were worn by the wealthier members of Roman society, while bronze and other metals provided a cheaper alternative for lower social classes. The term intaglio refers to a small image that has been engraved into a gemstone and usually set in a piece of jewellery, most commonly a ring. Such artistic form has its origin in Sumer in the 4th millennium BC, with the appearance of cylinder and stamp seals, whereby decorations and patterns were engraved into soft stones. Intaglios with fine detailing were highly desired with one reason being that the intricacy making wax seals difficult to forge. The earliest intaglios were produced by hand using simple iron tools along with abrasive emery powders. Common scenes used during the Roman period were animals, mythological creatures and portraits. During the Hellenistic period and the early Roman Empire, the art of intaglio reached its apogee, with there being a steady decline in craftsmanship in the late Imperial Rome, until a revival of interest with the Byzantine and during the Renaissance.
Mars is one of the most important gods in the Roman pantheon, with the month Martius (March) named for him and as a spearhead to Rome’s identity and militarism. He is the god of warfare, counterpart to the Greek Ares, however his role in Roman history and culture holds greater significance. He was believed to have sired the twins Romulus and Remus, the former of whom would later found Rome itself, and his connection to the city is deepened through his relationship with Venus, the mother of the Trojan prince Aeneas who, according to Roman legend, travelled to Italy following the sack of Troy and founded the Roman race. Mars’ role is not uniquely martial, however. He was also associated with agriculture and has many epithets and incarnations, including the peaceful Quirinus who is the protector of Roman citizens. Mars’ ancestral role to the Romans is commented on by several significant poets, including Horace and Virgil, both in lauding the military accomplishments of the state but also lamenting the violence that plagued so much of Roman history.
To discover more about Roman intaglios, please visit our relevant blog post: Engraved Gemstones in Ancient Rome.
To discover more about Roman Gods, please visit our relevant blog post: Roman Gods in Mythology.
