Ca. 100-300 AD.An oval-shaped amethyst intaglio bearing a figure of Mars. The god is depicted in standing pose, as a helmeted youth, carrying a trophy in his left hand and a spear in his right. Mars is the god of war in Roman religion and mythology, and his Greek counterpart is Ares. Though he is primarily known as the god of war, he is also known as a guardian of agriculture, the god of spring, fertility, virility, and growth in nature.Size: L:16mm / W:10mm ; 0.92gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old British collection formed in the 1990s.