Green jasper gem: Cock-headed Anguipes (A) Μίθρας (B)

PP-ID:

PP-1687

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel-HKH_Ge 137

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 137

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 19; AGD III, no. Kassel 137; Michel 2001, no. 57; Michel, DMG, no. 3.A.1.k_2

Former Collections:

Patin, Charles (Paris, 1633 – Padua, 1693); Capello, Antonio (Venice, 1652–1729); Karl, Landgraf von Hessen-Kassel (Kassel, 1654–1730)

Material:

jasper, green to black

Dimensions:

17.7 × 14.1 × 3.2 mm

Iconography:

Anguipes, cock-headed; armour; whip; shield with Ἰάω

Divine Names & Voces:

Μίθρας; Ἀβρασάξ; Ἰάω

Green jasper gem; side A upright oval and very lightly convex, side B transverse oval and flat. (Shape 8–9). Chipped on the obverse.

Side A: Frontal view of a cock-headed Anguipes in armour, head to right. Right hand raised high and holding a shield, left hand holding an oval shield, inscribed with ιαω → Ἰάω. Greek inscription around the figure, starting clockwise at the bottom: α|βρα|σαξ → Ἄβρασαξ.
Side B: Inscribed in one line: μιθραξ → Μίθρας.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, pl. 4, no. 19 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Montfaucon 1719 >>, vol. 2,2, 359–360, pl. 147C (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 229, no. 137.
• Michel 2001 >>, 61, No. 57; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 3.A.1.k_2.