LATE 1ST CENTURY B.C.

Details

A ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO OF THE FALLEN WARRIOR OTHRYADES
LATE 1ST CENTURY B.C.
The deeply cut convex surface engraved with the muscular naked figure of the fallen Othryades, depicted crouching with his shield still strapped to one arm, a thunderbolt as the shield's device, infront of him a pile of three shields, his other arm outstretched to the first shield, his index figure just touching the surface, with later inscribed Greek signature, in mid-19th Century gold ring setting
1.6 x 1.2 cm.; 1.8 cm. across inner hoop

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Sale room notice

Provenance: The J. Webb collection: sold Christie's London, 3 July 1854, lot 135.

Lot Essay

Cf G. M. A. Richter, Engraved Gems of the Romans, London, 1971, pp.13-14, nos. 5-7, for similar.

A very popular subject on Roman Republican gems, Othryades was the young Spartan who became general of the three hundred strong Spartan army when the Argives and Spartans were contending Thyrea. When the battlefield was deserted, Othryades revived and, supporting himself on spear-shafts broken in two, despoiled and stripped the Argive corpses of their shields; when he had erected a trophy, he wrote with his own blood upon it "VICI" (I conquered). After the Spartans were declared the victors it is said that Othryades, being ashamed to return to Sparta when all his comrades had been slain, slew himself there in Thyrea.

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