Title:
Female or Male Desire? Astrological Gems and Procreation
Author(s):
Spadini, Fabio
Institution(s):
WVT Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier
Year of publication:
2022
Available Date:
2024-05-28T09:20:42Z
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.
Part of Identifier:
ISBN (print): 978-3-86821-936-4
Keywords:
gemstone
seal ring
astrological gem
DDC-Classification:
938 Geschichte Griechenlands bis 323
Publication Type:
Buchkapitel
URL of the Original Publication:
Book Title:
Gender Studies in den Altertumswissenschaften: Women and Objects in Antiquity
Publisher:
WVT Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier
Editor:
Henriette Harich-Schwarzbauer, Cédric Scheidegger Lämmle (eds.)
Department/institution:
Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften
Institut für Wissensgeschichte des Altertums
Series/Multivolume:
IPHIS. Beiträge zur altertumswissenschaftlichen Genderforschung
Series/Multivolume Number:
12
