The gem is engraved with a depiction of Eros riding on a lion on the front side and with an inscription on the back side. The inscription reads: Pyroioi Iaô Moyi Srô
- Pyroioi is a corrupt form of ancient Greek pyroeis “fiery”.
- Iaô is derived from Hebrew “JAHWE” and consists of three of the seven vowels in the Greek alphabet.
- Moyi derives from Egyptian meaning “Lion”.
- Sr is also ancient Egyptian meaning “Ram”.
In Demotic magical texts, the combination of the three names “Sr-Moyi-Srpt” meaning “Ram-Lion-Lotus” describes the three manifestations of the Egyptian sun god in the morning, at noon and in the evening. The group of three names is also attested as a name for Harpokrates, the manifestation of the sun god as a child.
The names are connected to the names of planets and dekans, as has the image on the front side depicting the lion, Harpokrates as Eros, and two stars.
Dark green jasper, third century
British Museum, OA.9736 © The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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