APOSPHRAGISMA, (from απο, and σφραγισμα, I seal), in antiquity, the figure or impression of a seal.—It was forbid among the ancients to have the figure or image of God on their rings and seals. To this purpose the precept of Pythagoras, Ευδακτολιη ιχοικ Θει μη παριθεω! But in process of time, this was little regarded; it was usual enough to have the figures of Egyptian and other deities, as well as of heroes, monsters, friends, ancestors, and even brutes, on their daedyls or ring-seals. Thus Cæsar had the image of Venus, Pollio of Alexander, Augustus of the Sphinx, Pompey of a frog, Lentulus of his grandfather, &c.