This Roman "Evil Eye" Ring is part of our Classics Department Collection.
Superstitions around an "evil eye" have existed in many cultures, and is referenced in ancient Roman society by writers such as Plutarch, Pliny the Elder and Catullus. It usually takes the form of a belief that a particular glare can cast bad luck or misfortune upon the receiver of the stare. Various talisman artefacts have been found which were worn by their owners in the hope or belief that these items would protect them from the "evil eye".
Rings shaped like eyes are a common artefact, with some having several eyes, and others, like the one in our collection, having one large eye shape.