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Lot Essay
On this scaraboid, said to be from Caria, a Persian king bests a Greek warrior. The bearded king wears a crown (kidaris), a close-fitting tunic, leggings and a cloak over his shoulders. A quiver with two toggles extends behind him at the waist. With his raised left and lowered right hands he spears a falling Greek hoplite, nude but for a crested Corinthian helmet. He is armed with a spear and a circular shield. He collapses on his bent right leg, with his left extending behind the king. His head is turned frontally, an unusual feature for Greco-Persian gems, suggesting East Greek workmanship.
The stone was cut down in antiquity, perhaps to eradicate chips, as evinced by how the scene extends to the edges of the seal. Additionally, the stone was originally perforated horizontally, but this was abandoned at the time of the re-cutting, the perforations plugged with small pieces of agate (one preserved), and a new longitudinal perforation was added.
The stone was cut down in antiquity, perhaps to eradicate chips, as evinced by how the scene extends to the edges of the seal. Additionally, the stone was originally perforated horizontally, but this was abandoned at the time of the re-cutting, the perforations plugged with small pieces of agate (one preserved), and a new longitudinal perforation was added.