Female or Male Desire? Astrological Gems and Procreation

Abstract

Among the engraved gemstones which served as personal ornament for women or men in Antiquity, a series of motifs relate to procreation and fertility. This paper will analyze the iconographic composition of three groups of intaglios with astrological themes involving the phases of the moon, fertility, and hence possibly the wish of having a child. These examples will be used to discuss how to identify the gender of the owner of that type of gem and of gems in general. Are themes like procreation related to a specific gender? This study will also allow us to address the perception of the responsibility, male or female, for fertility and infertility in Greco-Roman times.