| In the 2nd millennium BC, the Romans emerged from | | | | make drawn beads, but the technique differed from |
| a small settlement near Rome to begin a course of | | | | the earlier methods in India. In fact, it does not |
| expansion that was to make them the dominant | | | | appear that they were familiar with these other |
| power in the Mediterranean. By the 1st Century AD, | | | | techniques and the blow pipe method was developed |
| Roman territories expanded from Britain in the north | | | | independently. This was a faster cheaper means of |
| to Egypt in the south. Much of the Roman culture | | | | making beads in mass than the individual wound |
| and crafts reflected the preceding Hellenistic period, | | | | method that had been being used in Europe and the |
| however, their extensive trade network provided | | | | Mediterranean before. The blow pipe also allowed the |
| them with a great variety of materials. Artisans often | | | | artisan to expand a bead (or other glass object) |
| combined styles and materials creating their own | | | | from the inside, thereby eliminating the weight and |
| unique designs. While personal adornment was | | | | shear amount of glass needed for the core formed |
| frowned upon by the early Romans, their attitude of | | | | methods. This might explain the disappearance of the |
| austerity had diminished by the 1st Century BC and a | | | | core formed beads, and vessels around the 1st c. BC. |
| rich variety of jewelry abounded. Roman jewelry | | | | Due to these more efficient methods, there were |
| reflected both the Hellenistic influence and the | | | | more glass beads produced in the 1st century AD |
| Eastern taste for colored stones. | | | | than in the previous 1500 years. |
| Roman period, is considered to be 100 BC to 400 AD. | | | | An Intaglio is an engraved or incised figure in a hard |
| This included all the many glass working centers | | | | material. The shapes of the gems cut in Rome or for |
| throughout the Roman Empire (what is now Syria, | | | | the Romans do not differ much from those of the |
| Egypt, Italy, Switzerland, the Rhineland, France and | | | | Hellenistic Greek world. Circular stones are perhaps |
| England) however, probably did not consist of any | | | | less common and oval ones rather broader. The |
| production actually in Rome itself. Many technologies | | | | subjects chosen for engraving were notables, |
| were both rediscovered and newly invented over this | | | | generals and emperors. Heads and figures of divinities |
| time period. One of the most significant was the | | | | are common, especially those most favored by the |
| invention of the blow pipe (Sidon). It was used to | | | | Romans or appropriate as signet devices like Fortuna. |