The image on this glass paste is an example of the self-portrayal of Roman equites of different ranks (soldier, general, officer, emperor, dictator). Following the iconography of the Dioscuri, the figures stand next to their horses. A social-military significance is attributed to this representation (P. Golyzniak 2020). This type of image is widespread on gemstone hammers as well as on glass pastes. Particularly the glass gemmules, which were produced serially in large numbers, indicate simple soldiers as the bearers. In the case of this piece, the material glass for the ring stone and bronze for the setting suggest that it was once worn by a lower-ranking horseman, even though the depiction shows a general with a legionary standard. (AVS)
Former August Kestner Collection, Rom
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