CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C. - 1ST CENTURY A.D.

When Patroclus, Achilles's closest companion, was killed wearing his armour, Thetis sought to console her grieving son. Knowing he would return to battle to avenge Patroclus, she approached the god Hephaestus and begged him to forge a new set of divine armour for Achilles. The result was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, including an intricately decorated shield - described in great detail in Homer's Iliad. In later myths and artistic tradition Thetis delivering the armour is dramatized by Thetis rising from the sea in a chariot accompanied by sea creatures, including Tritons, as is the case with this gem, and Nereids (her sea-nymph sisters) perhaps to emphasize her divine, oceanic nature. Cf. Richter, Gems of the Romans, p. 51, nos. 226-227 for a similar motif on engraved gems.