Material: Agate
Date: 2nd-3rd century
Dimensions: 3.9 × 3.5 × 1.1 cm (1 9/16 × 1 3/8 × 7/16 in.)
Findspot: unknown
Current Location: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California, 73.AN.1
This small agate was inscribed on both sides to protect a woman called Gaia against fever. The inscription on side a comprises the divine name “Ablakathanalba” engraved in an increasing triangle formation, changing into a decreasing one below line six. The inscription on side b is partially destroyed. The preserved part defines the wish of the owner of the gem. It reads:
Deliver Gaia from the fever, the [chills, and from all her headache (?)]!
The first two lines are well preserved but the reading of the lower part is uncertain due to the damage.The reconstruction was suggested by Roy Kotansky based on fever amulets from the magical papyri.
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