Ancient Greek Bronze Signet Ring with Herakles

£ 550.00

An Ancient Greek bronze signet ring featuring a round section hoop with slightly expanding shoulders. The large flat oval bezel is decorated with incised engravings, forming the crude representation of Herakles standing, facing right. The Greek hero is recognisable by his distinctive attributes: the Namean lion’s skin draped over his right shoulder and the club held in his left hand.

Closest UK ring size: P.

Date: Circa 5th-4th century BC
Condition: Fine condition, some patination to the surface.

SOLD

SKU: MG-193 Category: Tags: , , ,

Heracles (Ἡρακλῆς) was the greatest divine hero in Ancient Greek mythology, born from the union between Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. He was later assimilated in the Ancient Roman pantheon as Hercules, with whom Roman emperors, in particular Commodus and Maximian, often identified themselves. He features in several mythological episodes, the most famous being the Twelve Labours of Herakles. According to the myth, the hero married Megara, daughter of the king of Thebes Creon, after emerging victorious in the war against the Boeotian kingdom of Orchomenus. However, in a fit of madness sent by Hera, he killed his wife and children and, consequently, was obliged to become the servant of Eurystheus. The king of Tiryns imposed a cycle of twelve labours upon Herakles, which included the slaying of the Namean lion, the slaying of the nine-headed Hydra of Lerna, and the fetching up of three-headed dog Cerberus from the underworld.

Weight 8.08 g
Dimensions W 2.3 cm
Culture

Greek Mythology

Metal

Region

Reference: For a similar item, please see The Metropolitan Museum, item 18.145.53

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