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. 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.
The subject used for intaglios are diverse, with depictions of deities being a favourite theme. In Ancient Roman mythology Mars was primarily the god of war. He was especially important to the Romans because he was regarded as the mythical father of the founder and first king of Rome, Romulus. He was associated with the Greek god, Ares (Ἄρης). However, whilst his Greek counterpart was often viewed unfavourably, Mars was a figure of military power for securing peace and a father figure of the people.
To find out more about intaglios and Roman gods, please visit our relevant blog posts: Engraved Gemstones in Ancient Rome and Roman Gods in Mythology.