[Illustration: 1, Roman ring, perhaps a signet; elliptical hoop with projecting shoulders; 2, hexagonal ring set with engraved stone bearing figure of Hygeia, the Goddess of Health] [Illustration: Ring that was perhaps given by a Roman lady to a successful charioteer. Bust of donor on summit of ring All from Fairholt’s “Rambles of an Artist”] [Illustration: 1, spiral ring with heads of Isis and Serapis 2, Etruscan gold ring British Museum Fairholt’s “Rambles of an Artist”] [Illustration: Silver ring with ten projections (decade ring); that for the Creed (the bezel) has the design of the Cross. Impression British Museum] [Illustration: Immense ring with female head incorrectly said to be that of Plotina, wife of Trajan Montfaucon, “L’Antiquité expliquée,” Paris, 1719] [Illustration: Ancient Roman Key Rings Fairholt’s “Rambles of an Artist”] We are not apt to think the wearing of many rings especially in accord with the profession of philosophy, and yet Ælian tells us that a chief cause of the dissension between Plato (427–347 B.C.) and his pupil, Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), arose from the blame bestowed by Plato upon the greatest of ancient philosophers--“the master of those who know,” as Dante calls him--because Aristotle adorned his hand with many rings.[54] Could this have been done with a view to impressing his students and philosophers with greater respect than they might always have been disposed to accord to his intellectual greatness alone? The externals of luxurious adornment made, perhaps, a more direct appeal than the mere power of logical exposition could do, and such an eminently practical thinker as Aristotle was may not have been blind to these considerations. A gold ring figured by Gorius is thought by him to have been a gift from an ardent Roman sportswoman to a victorious charioteer, to whose skill she may perhaps have been indebted for some material gain, since wagering in chariot races was as common in Roman times as betting on horse races in our own day. This ring is engraved with a woman’s head and two heads of reined horses; the name of the donor, Pomphonica,[55] and the words _amor_ and _hospes_, are engraved on the circlet. “Love the Host,” as these words may be read, makes a slightly enigmatic inscription. Indeed, it may well be that some fair Roman had the ring made as a memento for her own use and wear. Another conjecture is that it was a man’s ring executed as a memento of what was dearest to him, his ladylove and his chariot horses. It was in the Cabinet of the Tuscan grand duke Francis of Lorraine, later Emperor of Germany and husband of Maria Theresa.[56]