Talismans - Magical gem: Bust of Helios (A) Hermetic text (B)

Magical gem: Bust of Helios (A) Hermetic text (B)

Download PDF

CBd-Number:

CBd-647

ID-Number:

GB-BM-MMEu_G 489, ΕΑ 56489

Collection:

GB_London, The British Museum

Inventory:

G 489 (ΕΑ 56489)

References:

Bonner, SMA D. 274; Michel, BM, no. 249; Michel, DMG, no. 22.1_4

Material:

carnelian (colour unspecified)

Dimensions:

13 x 10 x 4 mm

Dating:

3rd c. AD (Michel)

Iconography:

Helios; whip; rays (7); weapon: armour; clothing: mantle; bust; crown, unspecified

Divine Names & Voces:

μενναθ

A: Bust of a youth (Helios), head to left, right arm close to the body and holding a whip, on the head: crown with seven rays. Chlamys thrown over the left shoulder, chest protected by a breastplate. Inscription in two lines on the breastplate: χε|σ+
C: Inscription on the edge: ομειζωντησυπεροχησοτησδυνα.
B: Inscription in six lines, continuation of the inscription on the edge: μεωσισχυ|ροτεροσοτω|νενκομι|ωνκρεισσω|νμεννα||θ → ὁ μείζων τῆς ὑπεροχῆς ὁ τῆς δυνάμεως ἰσχυρότερος ὁ τῶν ἐγκωμίων κρείσσων μενναθ.
’The one who is transcending all pre-eminence, more powerful than all power, better than all praise, Mennath.’ The text reflects Caput 31 of the Poimandres hymn in the Corpus Hermeticum, the present translation follows that of G.R.S. Mead.

Bibliography
Bonner, SMA on CBd-647
Michel, BM on CBd-647
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-647

Last modified: 2021-03-08 18:30:40

Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/647

CITE THIS PAGE

CBd-647. The Campbell Bonner Magical Gems Database (2010-), developed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, editor-in-chief: Á. M. Nagy. Retrieved from: cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/647 on 23-02-2025.