#magic vowels

Roman Intaglio: Harpocrates on a Boat Surrounded by Animals

1st-4th c. CE (Roman Imperial Period)

hematite

1.7 x 1.6 cm (11/16 x 5/8 in.)

“Harpocrates sits facing left on a lotus blossom in a barge, holding a flail in one hand and raising his other hand to his mouth. His head is flanked by a star and a waxing crescent moon. A border of animals surrounds the scene, with three scarabs at the top, three goats on the right, three snakes and three crocodiles on the bottom, and three falcons on the right. On the other side is a magical inscription (voces magicae) of Greek vowels surrounded by a beveled edge.”