During the Roman period snakes were associated with protection. They were used to protect houses from mice. The snake was also associated with Asclepius, the god of healing and were believed to bring good health. Another god linked to snakes was Mercury. Mercury, Mercurius in Latin, was a major component of the Ancient Roman pantheon. Commonly identified with the Ancient Greek god Hermes, his cult has a long tradition, with the earliest evidences of his name found on Linear B tables dating to the 15th – 13th century BC. As messenger and herald, Mercury/Hermes features in several mythological episodes, such as the killing of Argos. One of his attributes was the caduceus, a staff the god carried which held two intertwining serpents.
To discover more about Roman intaglios, please visit our relevant blog post: Engraved Gemstones in Ancient Rome.
