A roman green chalcedony intaglio. Athena and Hercules.
8 x 11 x 4 mm
On the left side, the helmeted Athena is draped and turned on the right side, putting the right hand on her hips and holding a spear with the left one; the shield on the lower part, at her feet. The goddess is standing, looking down the little Hercules, laying on the ground, on the right side, fighting against two snakes. The scene is representing a distinct episod of the hero childhood : the theme is the symbol of invincible power and virtue, widespread in ancient time. An extraordinary comparison is the famous marble sculpture, of Imperial Age, depicting “Infant Herakles strangling snakes” (Rome, Capitolini Museum). Comparisons: several Greek coin reverses (as silver stater, coined in Thebes, 425-395 B.C.; emidrachma coined in Thebes in ca. 395 B.C; stater coined in Crotone, 400-325 B.C.; tetradrachma coined in Samos, 400-385 B.C.) and in Provincial Roman coin production (Caracalla-Tracia; Geta-Tracia).

1st-2nd century AD.