Ancient Roman Iron Ring Bezel with Agate Intaglio

In Ancient Roman society, jewellery was an essential accessory, providing the wearer with a public display of their wealth, social status, and identity. Roman jewellery at first followed the trends set by the Etruscans, employing the use of gold and glass beads. As the power and reach of the Roman empire increased, jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate, utilising many different materials, techniques, and styles found across the expanding empire. Fortuna, the daughter of Jupiter and Greek counterpart Tyche, is the goddess of good luck, fortune and prosperity. The cornucopia is represented by a horn which was endlessly overflowing with fruits and vegetables symbolising Fortuna’s attribute of many gifts of fortune. Fortuna’s cult was widespread across the Roman Empire, she was acknowledged publicly for the protection of the state but also privately for voyages and individual fates. Many would worship Fortuna on the 1st of January in the hope the goddess would bless the new year. She had many temples placed around the Empire and was worshipped by all including soldiers, low class, upper class and even the Emperor, each for individual prosperity and good fortune.