Greek inscription on golden finger ring from National Museum in Belgrade

Abstract

In the Collection of Late Roman and Early Byzantine material culture and art of the National Museum in Belgrade there is an octagonal golden finger ring dating from the VI–VII century, registered under inventory number 113/IV. The ring has an engraved corrupted Greek inscription, which should, according to the authors of this paper, be translated as follows: (Me) God forbid stomachache to occur. This object is a fine example of the so called prophylactic amulets. Its purpose was to protect its owner from stomachache that troubled him.