3-037-113 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Engraved Gem, 2nd-4th century A.D. Additional Info: Oval gem engraved on each of its sides. On the obverse is the image of the frontal view of a cock-headed Anguipede in armour, holding a whip in his raised right hand, and a decorated round shield in his left. Below the figure, the formula SOUMARTA ("Protect") is inscribed in a cartouche resembling a tabula ansata (a tablet with dove-tail handles). On the reverse is an inscription in five lines: SOU/MART/AKAR/BASM/ARBA/S.