Green jasper gem: Mithras with bull and raven (A) Eros and Psyche (B) Ἰαεω-palindrome (C)
Green jasper gem, both faces transverse oval. One half broken off and missing.
Side A: Mithras, dressed in tunic, mantle and Phyrgian cap, slaying the bull with a sickle held in his right hand, the left hand (now missing) was probably grasping the bull's horn. The figure turns towards the right, his head is turned back to the left. Behind the bull, a raven, below it, a scorpion seen from the top, crawling upwards, claws pointing to the genitals of the bull.
Side B: Winged Eros standing on the right, embracing Psyche. Greek inscription running around the edge: σ|νειχαροπληξ → variant of νιχαρωπληξ.
Side C: Greek inscription around the edge: [---]ωβαφρενεμουνοσιααρικριφιαευε[---], [---] ο ω ε [---] → variant of the Ἰαεω-palindrome, vocales.
Selected bibliography
• Georg Zoëga, in Musei d'Italia III /1880/ >>, 473, no. 14.
Further resources on PP-3598
• Drawing designed for the Zoëga-catalogue at Thorvaldsens Museum, Copenhagen.
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