Pleasant Grove Review | 1930-02-08 | Page 8 | Roman Faith in Power Conferred by Sardonyx

Roman Faith in Power j Conferred by Sardonyx The Romans, who greatly preferred precious stones which took kindly to engraving or curving, were devoted to the sard, in which they carved and wore the figures of Greek heroes and gods. Mars and Hercules they wore for courage and victory; Mercury for j political acumen and legal skill; Ju- 1 piter for success, and Venus for love. It was believed that, a sard, hung around the neck, would allay pain, j and give self-control, attract friends, and insure conjugal happiness. Its . power as a marriage charm is told in the jingle Wear sardonyx, or for thee J No conjugal felicity. It was also claimed that this stone sharpened the wits of Its wearer, making mak-ing hi ui fearless and victorious, so that in Rome it was very highly regarded re-garded as a talisman for lawyers. Pliny tells of an impecunious attorney who hired a sardonyx ring to wear In court while defending a young widow. He won both his case and his client t at the same time, thus greatly en- I hancing his belief In the power of I his birfhstone. I - !