Ave!
Ring, Roman, Bezel Only, Enigmatic Engravings, ca. 1st-3rd Cent.
Fine Silver; 10mm/0.7gm
Con/ As Engraved; the reverse is flat with zero traces of mounting nor Roman glue!
Seller's Note/ The mysterious engravings on this bezel are enigmatic, for sure, and are open to any number of interpretations. But, of a certainty, the bezel was custom made for the wearer.
We sent the photo to our friend, Ron Macina, a true expert on all things Roman, for his thoughts.
"Interesting little piece for sure. From my standpoint I do see at the top "VIA" - a Latin term usually referring to "main roads" (i.e. by way of) in ancient Rome. Also notice what looks to be a "Dagger with Hand guard" as the midsection / cross-point of the letter A. The "S" looks to be somewhat like a "serpent or sea creature / monster" of some sort. Now, possibly the "S" is the first letter of an abbreviation of some sort of saying or motto ... or, could even represent a particular known "location" with that that particular "geographic lay out or look to it" (i.e. near the sea / water)? For example purpose only : (The two straight lines could represent roads leading to a double harbor type area in which one (left side) is more protected than the other and the right side has an "extended road" within that area forming a small island formation within it ??) "
Just to put the artifact into context, it was found in a farm field near the ancient Roman city/military base of Mursa, located on the shore of the Drava River, only maybe 20 miles from its confluence with the mighty Danube River. Hence, Mr. Macina's conjecture that the VIA with the dagger, could very well represent the military road leading to Mursa. So far, so good?
But, as there is no archaeological evidence that Mursa had such harbors...it did have stout Roman bridge across the Drava with a road that led to Viminacium in modern Serbia. So, perhaps the 'sea serpent' = the Drava and the second humped symbol = the bridge and the two roads?
Or, perhaps, final symbol represents a tree (as an orchard?) and the roads that lead to the wealthy owners villa?
Your conjectures are as good as ours, kids. Have fun!
