Solid Electrum Roman Ring with Serapis

$3,032.91

A Roman solid D-shaped ring made from electrum featuring a carved intaglio. The intaglio, made from banded agate, features the profile bust of the god Serapis wearing the modium.

Measurements given are for internal width. External width – 2.3cm. UK ring size C.

Date: Circa 1st - 2nd century AD
Condition: Excellent

SOLD

SKU: AH-633 Category: Tags: ,

The cult of Serapis developed largely in the 3rd century BC, under the Hellenistic ruler Ptolemy I Soter. The establishment of a new cult was essentially political policy to try and unite both the Greek and Egyptian population. The name Serapis is a culmination of Osiris-Apis, formed from the Coptic rendering. Alexander the Great, wishing to establish a unifying cult figure needed a new deity that would resonate with both his Egyptian and Greek subjects. Having favoured Amun in iconography, Alexander had wished to drive his cult however Amun was not favoured in Lower Egypt, which had a stronger Greek presence. Instead, an anthropomorphic figure was created, hailed as a manifestation of the popular Apis bull, a cult with an extreme following in Lower Egypt. Thus the cult of Serapis was first formed. Linked to Osiris, the Ancient Greeks identified Serapis with Hades, god of the dead. Iconographically they portrayed him with the modus, a grain-measure that represented the land of the dead.

To find out more about intaglios, please visit our relevant blog post: Engraved Gemstones in Ancient Rome.

Weight 15.8 g
Dimensions W 1.6 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Roman Mythology

Stone

Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item 1987,0212.582.