Archaeological Museum of Bologna

During the second century AD and even more in the third century AD accentuates the progressive decline in the technical and artistic production of engraved gems. The portraiture, especially if linked to the imperial entourage characters, is a current that still manifests a high quality production.

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In this Carnelian-stone with female portraitcarnelian-stone Commodus is depicted as Hercules. he is wearing the leontè, tied around his neck, with a mane rendered in locks. This particular type of portrait, according to emperor's willing of be depicted as Hercules, happens in last years of his riegn, both in the sculpture and in coin's production, then in the glyptic art. 

Provenance: unknow
Datation: End of 2nd century BC
Material: carnelian-stone
Dimensions: mm 16 x 13,5 x 2,1
Inventory #: Gl 25