letters, but since the stone is of Syrian origin, it is possible that a degenerate Semitic alphabet was used. Neither Greek nor Semitic scholars have thus far been able to read it.
Unidentified black stone resembling slate. Oblong, with square corners above, rounded below, 37 X 27 X 6. There is a groove in the middle of the upper edge, probably cut in order to clasp the stone more firmly in a setting.
179
Newell 20
Obv. At center, rudely engraved male figure with indistinct head, wearing short tunic, legs bare, standing on a low pedestal crossed by diagonal lines; r. hand raised, l. extended downward towards an anguipede on a lower level. This monster has an indistinct head, brandishes a whip in r. hand and holds an irregularly outlined shield on l. arm. At l., a large snake. Five stars in field. Wavy line across the top of the oval, another across the bottom forming an exergue in which is a snake. Three indistinct objects, perhaps two disks and a star, over the snake in exergue.
Rev. At upper l., four uncertain letters, perhaps ηριυ. Lower, in three lines, Mειχαηλ Oυρειηλ Γαβριηλ
, then, separated by a line drawn across the field, Bαρληαμ, another line, and ληυ. The letters are scratched awkwardly, and the lines are not horizontal. The beta in the name Gabriel is like an English lower-case
b with a tall vertical stroke. The name Bαρληαμ (Barlaam?), however applied, indicates a date in the Byzantine period.
Soft serpentine or steatite, 52 Χ 42 Χ 4. Perforated. One of the crudest amulets that I have seen.
180
Obv. Human-headed anguipede, head to r., whip in r. hand, shield on l. arm. Round lower margin, αβρασαξ.
Rev. Iαω.
Bloodstone. Upright oval, 16 X 12 X 4. Obv. flat, rev. convex.
Catalogue of the Wyndham Cook Collection, 218; no illustration.
181
Obv. Anguipede with head of lion, body to front, head crowned with two feathers(?) to r.; kilted tunic, whip in r. hand, orb in l. Letters of Iao singly in field. Crude work, but a certain example of the lion-headed anguipede, and a link between the ordinary type and the lion-headed god, otherwise human, who carries whip and orb (see Nos.
234–
235–
236). These types, in turn, are related to the radiate lion-headed Chnoubis, all being forms of the sun-god.
Rev. λεovτoρῆκτα, “render of lions.”
Purplish-brown haematite or limonite (?). Upright oval, 25 X 16 X 6.
182
Obv. Snake-legged demon with head of dog or jackal to l. Cuirass and kilt, shield on l. arm, r. forearm and hand broken away with l. third of stone. Very crude work.
Rev, πε πτ πε, i.e. πέπτε, the third π cut by mistake.
Haematite. Upright oblong with rounded ends. Present size, 29 X 12 X 3.
183
Obv. Anguipede, head injured by chipping, but apparently that of a jackal or a dog (note the bristles on the neck), facing l. Whip in r. hand, shield on l. arm. Swastika in field at l.
Rev. στoμαχoυ in column, two letters to a line; a character at bottom.
Haematite. Upright narrow oval, 28 X 13 X 3. Chipped at top.
184
Obv. Anguipede with animal head, body to front, head to l.; shield, here resembling a broad crescent, on r. arm, in l. hand scepter with knob at top. It is quite uncertain what animal the lapidary had in mind in engraving the head. It is not shaggy, as the lion is usually represented, yet the muzzle is like those of the cat family. It might be a lioness, but the ears are too long. I am not sure that the work is ancient;