ABSTRACT
Around the beginning of the previous millennium we nd evidence of a new genre of ancient glyptic: the so-called magical gems.1 In that period and even earlier we note, to be sure, an increase in gem-engraving, but the types now appearing seem to di er from the others in conception. ere are four main characteristics – obviously not always present together on all pieces – which are worth mentioning (the h, and perhaps the most important, will be mentioned shortly).
