This article draws scholarly attention to a magnificent gem that came to light in Italy in 2002. It explores the hitherto overlooked, very close relationship between this gem and a better known Parisian gem from the 3rd c. CE, taking into account other gems, too, as well as coins, especially those of the Alexandrian zodiac series of 144/5 CE. While the Parisian gem is certainly ancient, and probably inspired by the Alexandrian coin series, its Italian twin turns out to be a modern imitation. The close comparison between both gems sheds much new light on the authentic Parisian horoscope-gem which had in the past, despite its being a unique piece of ancient art, received little scholarly attention.
A Third Horoscope-Gem, twin of the Parisian ʽSeyrig gemʼ
Mastrocinque
2017-01-01
Abstract
This article draws scholarly attention to a magnificent gem that came to light in Italy in 2002. It explores the hitherto overlooked, very close relationship between this gem and a better known Parisian gem from the 3rd c. CE, taking into account other gems, too, as well as coins, especially those of the Alexandrian zodiac series of 144/5 CE. While the Parisian gem is certainly ancient, and probably inspired by the Alexandrian coin series, its Italian twin turns out to be a modern imitation. The close comparison between both gems sheds much new light on the authentic Parisian horoscope-gem which had in the past, despite its being a unique piece of ancient art, received little scholarly attention.
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