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Something rather special for #FridayFinds this week; a tale of a #Roman treasure, a curse tablet & a *possible* link to JRR Tolkien. If you're sitting comfortably then I'll begin...
Once upon a time, a farmer was ploughing a field in Silchester & he found an inscribed golden ring
Once upon a time, a farmer was ploughing a field in Silchester & he found an inscribed golden ring
Around the head on the ring is the word 'Venus' & on the hoop, Latin text reading Seniciane vivas [i]n De(o) ('Senicianus live in God'). It was exhibited at an Ordinary Meeting @SocAntiquaries in Jan 1786, when a drawing was made & a description published in Archaeologia in 1807
![Around the head on the ring is the word 'Venus' & on the hoop, Latin text reading Seniciane vivas [i]n De(o) ('Senicianus live in God'). It was exhibited at an Ordinary Meeting @SocAntiquaries in Jan 1786, when a drawing was made & a description published in Archaeologia in 1807](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErNcLcqXIAAj_FW.jpg "Around the head on the ring is the word 'Venus' & on the hoop, Latin text reading Seniciane vivas [i]n De(o) ('Senicianus live in God'). It was exhibited at an Ordinary Meeting @SocAntiquaries in Jan 1786, when a drawing was made & a description published in Archaeologia in 1807")
![Around the head on the ring is the word 'Venus' & on the hoop, Latin text reading Seniciane vivas [i]n De(o) ('Senicianus live in God'). It was exhibited at an Ordinary Meeting @SocAntiquaries in Jan 1786, when a drawing was made & a description published in Archaeologia in 1807](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErNcLeyW8AIHVUq.jpg "Around the head on the ring is the word 'Venus' & on the hoop, Latin text reading Seniciane vivas [i]n De(o) ('Senicianus live in God'). It was exhibited at an Ordinary Meeting @SocAntiquaries in Jan 1786, when a drawing was made & a description published in Archaeologia in 1807")
The ring disappears, resurfaces @TheVyneNT when the discovery of a plaque at Lydney prompts interest 'To the god Nodens Silvianus has lost his ring & given half to Nodens. Among those who are called Senicianus do not allow health until he brings it back to the temple of Nodens'
During the 1920s, Sir Mortimer Wheeler was researching Lydney & the possible links between the plaque & the ring & he asked J.R.R .Tolkien to investigate the dedication to the god Nodens. So, did Tolkien see the golden ring & did it provide inspiration for a certain 'One Ring'?
We may never know the answer for sure but it certainly is a wonderful tale! For more information on the ring and its story, check out the links below:
http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/719789
https://theartssociety.org/arts-news-features/one-precious-ring-vyne%E2%80%99s-cursed-treasure
https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/SoA_images/detail.cfm?object=4339
http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/719789
https://theartssociety.org/arts-news-features/one-precious-ring-vyne%E2%80%99s-cursed-treasure
https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/SoA_images/detail.cfm?object=4339
