CIRCA 3RD CENTURY B.C.

This unusual gem is engraved with a sacrifice scene - the central warrior wearing a tunic, holding a circular shield and a patera, leading the bull, accompanied by two further warriors wearing crested helmets and carrying shields. The ritual depicted is the Ver Sacrum (“Sacred Spring” in Latin), practiced by Italic peoples, and may be related to rituals performed by soldiers in advance of going into battle during the Second Punic War (see C. Weiß, Die antiken Gemmen der Sammlung Heinrich Dressel in der Antikensammlung Berlin, no. 321). For similar Italic gems see A. Furtwängler, Die Antiken Gemmen: Geschichte der Steinschneidekunst im Klassischen Altertum, Leipzig und Berlin, 1900, vol. 1, pl. XXII, nos 55-56.