Museum Explorer
Dress and ornament
in Roman Britain
Gold ring
From: Corbridge, Northumberland
Date: 2nd - 3rd century AD
It is traditional for couples in love to exchange rings, and this ring was indeed given to a lover. We know this from the Greek inscription (see the close-up picture) which says 'POLEMIOU PHILTRON', meaning 'the love-token of Polemios'.
Romans did not usually wear wedding or engagement rings, and when they did so, they were mostly worn by women. This ring is so large it was probably worn by a man.
