Lions and bears, such as those engraved on opposite sides of the reversible octagonal bezel of this silver ring, were among the most popular animals featured in the staged hunts and animal fights held in Roman amphitheaters. Both the striding lion and the skulking bear are labeled with the Greek words for these animals; the letters appear in mirror image on the ring itself but would have read correctly in an impression made when either side of the bezel was used as a seal. The invocation around the edge of the bezel reads, "Grace and Victory to the wearer!" and inscribed around the ring's hoop is the enigmatic phrase "I entered alone, received grace and was victorious." The imagery of the lion and bear and the emphasis on personal victory suggest the possibility that the ring's owner was a professional wild beast hunter (the size of the hoop and the masculine gender of the word "wearer" make clear that the owner was male). Given the Greek inscription, the wearer may have lived and worked in the eastern part of the Roman Empire.

While personal items in antiquity frequently carried simple inscriptions expressing favorable wishes for their wearers, this ring is exceptionally inventive and communicative, seeming to convey a personalized message. In addition to the associations with animal fights and amphitheaters, it is plausible that the use of the word "grace" and the allusions to victory had a Christian cast, invoking divine support for the wearer's salvation. Another possible interpretation is that the bear and lion allude to solar constellations of personal astrological significance, perhaps referring to birth dates or other important life events, making the ring a special good-luck charm.

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