Ca. 200-500 AD. A bronze finger ring with a circular loop, and a slightly raised round bezel bearing an incised decoration comprising a sun motif comprised of two concentric circles facing 22 radiating lines. The sun stands for Sol Invictus (Latin for: "Unconquered Sun"), a major divinity in Late Roman Religion. Sol Invictus was a patron of soldiers and became part of the official state religion in AD 274 under Emperor Aurelian. The cult continued into the 5th century as St Augustine felt it necessary to preach against Sol to his Christian congregation. The connection between Sol and soldiers means that this item may well have belonged to a Roman legionary, who wore it in hope of protection during military campaigns. Size: D: 18.80mm / US: 8 7/8 / UK: R 1/2; 5.36g Provenance: Private London collector, acquired on the Austrian Art market, formerly in an old USA collection formed since the 1970s.