Astrological gem: Mars

PP-ID:

PP-5815

Classification:

gem, astrological

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel_Ge 69

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge_69

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 88; AGD III, no. 69; Spadini 2026, no. 657

Former Collections:

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

Material:

carnelian, yellow to orange

Dimensions:

15.7 × 11.6 × 3 mm

Date:

1st c. AD (Spadini

Iconography:

Ares, Mars ultor-type; armour; mantle; shoes: boots; helmet; shield; spear; star

Translucent carnelian gem. Upright oval, edge rounded. (Shape 8c). Damaged in the lower left segment.

Side A: Mars Ultor standing to the front, head in profile to the right. He is clad in armour, helmet, boots, and a mantle wrapped around his shoulders and hanging down his lowered right arm. His spear, pointed downwards, is supported by his raised left hand. His shield is on the right, half covered by the damaged area; there is an eight-pointed star on the left. Greek inscription in mirror writing on the right and left of the figure: ευημε|ρου → Εὐημέρου (of Euhemeros).
Side B: Plain.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, no. 88 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 213–214, no. 69.
• Spadini 2026 >>, 224, no. 657.

Further resources on PP-5815
• Hessen Kassel Heritage Online
• Antiquitatum Thesaurus