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Engraved Gem with Abrasax and a magical inscription

Creator

Unknown All works by this person →More on Getty ULAN

Date: A.D. 100–250
Medium: Green chalcedony
Culture: Roman
Department: Jewelry
Institution: Getty Museum

Oval gem engraved on each of its sides. On the obverse is the image of a frontal view of a cock-headed snake-legged figure (Abrasax) in armour, a whip in his raised right hand and shield in his left. A magical inscription, in Greek, runs all around the edge: IAW ADWNAI ABRASAX EVIE. The first word, IAW, refers to the Jewish god Yahweh, the second and third words are names related to magical gods. A second inscription, in five lines, is carved on the reverse: A/BLA/NATHA/NAL/BA.

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