But the ring was used in connection with marriage before Catholic times. The Greeks had it. We find from Juvenal[313] that the Romans employed the ring. There was commonly a feast on the signing of the marriage contract; and the man gave the woman a ring (_annulus pronubus_) by way of pledge, which she put upon her left hand, on the finger next the least: because of the suggested nerve running to the heart.[314] The ring was generally of iron, though sometimes of copper and brass, with little knobs in the form of a key, to represent that the wife had possession of the husband’s keys.[315] Roman keys attached to a ring for the finger are not uncommon.[316] The ring is at right angles to the axle and, therefore, it could only be used for a lock which required very little strength to turn it or as a latch-key. It may be a question, whether these were not rings used on marriages? [Illustration: (Roman Key Ring)] Maffei gives a gem, upon which is engraved only the two Greek words ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙ ΠΙΣΤΙΣ, in English, _Faith immortal_, which he considers as intended to be set in a betrothal ring--in some one of those rings which lovers gave to their beloved, with protestations of eternal constancy, as a tacit promise of matrimony. Some Roman nuptial rings had inscriptions, as _Ama me_; _Amo te_; _Bonam vitam_, etc. Among other rings found at Pompeii were some which are considered to have been wedding-rings.[317] One, of gold, picked up in Diomed’s house, had a device representing a man and woman joining hands. Another, was a double gold ring, in which two small green stones were set. There is no evidence that the ring was used by the Egyptians at a marriage.[318] [Illustration: (Double Gold Ring)] On the authority of a text in Exodus, wedding-rings are attempted to be carried as far back as the Hebrews.[319] Leo of Modena, however, maintains that they did not use any nuptial ring.[320] Selden owns that they gave a ring in marriage, but that it was only in lieu of a piece of money of the same value which had before been presented. It probably was ring-money or money in the shape of a ring, (of which we have before spoken.) § 4. The common use of the ring in different countries, when betrothment or marriage takes place, is remarkable.