HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.

Engraved here is a superb profile portrait head of the famed Athenian philosopher. Sokrates is perhaps the best-known of all ancient Greek philosophers, despite not having left any of his own writings. What is known of his life, including the famous Sokratic method of cross-questioning the people with whom he came in contact, comes from accounts of later writers, including his students Plato and Xenophon, and the playwright Aristophanes. About his appearance, these sources inform that he was stocky, broad-shouldered man, who resembled Silenos. He had a broad, rounded nose, a large mouth with thick lips, and a bald pate. The wavy hair at the back and sides of his head and his full beard on this portrait are composed of flame-like locks. For another glyptic portrait of him in the same style, compare the amethyst ringstone, no. 208 in D. Scarisbrick, C. Wagner and J. Boardman, The Beverly Collection of Gems at Alnwick Castle. The gem is mounted as a ring in an early 19th century gold setting.