Portia Earrings

These opulent earrings feature a beautiful globe at the front comprised of separate panels that glitter in the light, and a characteristic Roman hook at the back. The earrings are inspired by a pair found in the excavations at the ancient city of Pompeii, and date to the first century AD.

Portia (or "Porcia") is the female patronymic for the name "Porcius," and the name of a prominent plebeian family in the period of the Republic, the gens Porcia. This family was responsible for enacting important legislation in the second century BC, the Leges Porciae, which provided for the (mainly physical) protections of Roman citizens.

One famous Porcia was the oldest daughter of Cato the Younger, who was married to M. Junius Brutus, one of the assassins of Julius Caesar. From Plutarch, we learn that she was "of an affectionate nature, fond of her husband, and full of sensible pride." Brutus, in turn, was so amazed with her strength that, on one occasion, he is reported to have lifted his hands to the heavens and prayed "that he might show himself a worthy husband of Porcia." - Brutus, 13.3 and 13.6