Belerofont kroti Pegaza: zlatni prosten iz Porodina kod Aleksinca

Abstract

A gold ring with a gem, made of multi-layered opal, with a representation of Pegasus and Bellerophon originates from Porodin near Aleksinac. Today, the ring is kept in the National Museum in Belgrade. The paper studies the presented motif, and importance of the archaeological site Gradište in the village of Porodin, from where this exceptional work of Roman jewelry. The motif of Bellerophon capturing, that is, taming Pegasus, is a theme that was not common in Roman art, where this mythological hero most often was depicted in the scene of killing the Chimera. The expensive gold ring probably belonged to a high-ranking soldier, an officer, who stayed in Porodin, a fortified military-strategic point, and who could afford such a luxurious piece of jewelry. The choice of the depicted victorious motif on the gem, as an expression of virtus, could support this thesis about the military career of the owner of the ring.