93

93: A Roman Bronze Ring with Eagle

Currency:USD Category:Antiquities Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
93: A Roman Bronze Ring with Eagle
Rome, ca 2nd century AD. Decorative incised lines frame either side of the flat ovate face of the ring which is decorated with a stylized eagle, wings outstretched and head turned to one side.

The eagle is an attribute of Zeus, the most powerful of the Olympian gods, Roman counterpart Jupiter. In many forms of Greek and Roman art including intaglios and finger rings, Zeus is often depicted with an eagle at his feet or holding an eagle tipped scepter (see Ancient Gems and Finger Rings,Catalogue of the Collection, The J. Paul Getty Musuem no. 261 - 264). In Greek and Roman mythology, Zeus would send an eagle or take the form of an eagle to observe his earthly children or to carry off lovers. Being so strongly associated with strength and power,the Eagle became a Roman military symbol. In 43 BC Augustus founded the V Macedonia legion with the eagle as their emblem. Eventually the practice of carrying bronze eagle standards in front of marching armies became widespread in the Roman empire. This is depticted in Roman art such as Trajan's Column, and many bronze eagle standards remain to us today.

In 102 BC the eagle was declared the symbol of the Senate and People of Rome, emphasizing the Roman identity with military strength as well as the appropriation of one of the most powerful aspects of Greek culture.Dimensions: US Ring Size: 8 1/2.Provenance: Paul Ilton, acquired prior 1958