Six Amuletic Gems in Ankara

Arslan M., Gordon R., Yeğin Y.

Adalya, no.25, pp.89-104, 2022 (AHCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.47589/adalya.1221305
  • Journal Name: Adalya
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, International Bibliography of Art
  • Page Numbers: pp.89-104
  • Keywords: Amuletic gems, Anguipede, Campbell Bonner Magical Gems Database, Egyptian deities, Turkish museum collections
  • Ankara University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Though often neglected, amulets on semi-precious stones, including the subclass of “magical amulets,” provide important evidence not only for personal religious practice but also, indirectly, for networks of ritual specialists in the cities of the eastern Mediterranean during the Roman imperial period. This article presents six objects found in Asia Minor and held in Turkish collections. Two gems carry rare magical motifs - Isis comforting Harpokrates and Kronos/Saturn on a lion. Two non-magical items are likewise exceptional - Hermes/Mercury crowning Harpokrates and a set of four stones inscribed with an acclamation to Serapis.