Language:
English
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Liber Annuus
Angaben zur Quelle:
70 (2020) 385-403
Keywords:
Rings
;
Gems, Ancient
;
Magic
;
Kefar Otnai Site (Israel) Antiquities
Abstract:
An intact magical silver ring set with a green chalcedony magical gem was discovered near present-day Megiddo prison. The ring has a tubular hoop and a low box-bezel. It’s metal is engraved on all sides with symbols and charaktères and perhaps some letters. On the ring’s round, flat base appears a swastika within a square. A standing male-deity holding an upright snake is engraved on the gem, surrounded by further charactères and a magical name. The ring is of a known type. It dates from the later 3rd to the early 4th century. The precise name and identity of its standing deity are unknown.Our study has shown that a number of powerful syncretized deities are embedded it this figure; that the snake held by its god is the Chnoubis snake; and that the ring plus its gem were created to function as a powerful, protective, beneficial, therapeutic item. Every aspect of this ring was calculated to enforce and strengthen the ring’s medical-magical function and aim. Together with an earlier one found of a silver magical ring in the site of Kefar-ʻOthnay with a depiction of the Anguipede on its gem, these two rings show that among the population and soldiers of the VI Ferrata legionary base and the nearby village of Kefar-ʻOthnay were believers in the authority of magi and the power of healing and overall help and protection against evil powers and maladies embedded in magical gems and rings.
DOI:
10.1484/J.LA.5.125232
URL:
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