In ancient Greece, sceptres were commonly depicted in the hands of gods and heroes, such as Zeus, the king of the gods, who was often portrayed holding a sceptre to demonstrate his supreme power over the heavens and earth. Similarly, Greek kings and aristocrats were often depicted holding sceptres as a sign of their leadership and governance. For example, on many coinages, rulers would be shown holding a sceptre to reinforce their role as protectors and rulers of their city-states. The sceptre in these depictions symbolized not only political power but also the divine favor believed to be necessary for a ruler’s success.

In Rome, the sceptre became an even more prominent symbol, particularly as the Roman Empire transitioned from a republic to a monarchy. Roman emperors were frequently depicted with sceptres in imperial imagery, such as statues, coins, and reliefs, where the sceptre signified their authority to rule the vast empire. For instance, emperors like Augustus and Constantine I were often portrayed with a sceptre in their hand, signaling their role as both political leaders and defenders of the Roman state. The sceptre was sometimes shown alongside other symbols of power, such as the orb, the laurel wreath, or the sword, to further emphasize the emperor’s dominion.