Circa 300-400 AD An oval amethyst intaglio of a draped bust of Sol Invictus with radiate crown. Sol Invictus (Latin for: "Unconquered Sun") was a major divinity in Late Roman Religion. Sol Invictus was a patron of soldier and became part of official state religion in AD 274 under the Emperor Aurelian. The cult continued into the 5th century as St Augustine felt it necessary to preach against Sol to his Christian congregation. The connection between Sol and soldiers means that this item may well have belonged to a Roman legionary, who wore it a in hope of protection during military campaigns. Henig M. & MacGregor A.; Catalogue of the Engraved Gems and Finger Rings in the Ashmolean Museum. Size: L:16mm / W:14mm; 1.44g Provenance: Property of a London Gentleman; formerly in a private UK collection formed in the the 1990s.