Some early examples with Greek subjects but oriental detail help demonstrate the origins of this series very well.
Cornelian scarab from Marion, Cyprus. Herakles rescues Deianeira from Nessos. The cross-hatched area below is Phoenician, as are the 'life sign' and falcon above.
Private Coll. 16mm. AGGems no. 72
Cornelian scarab. A Greek gorgon with horse body (rare but appropriate for the monster) grapples a lion in a common eastern pose.
Unknown Coll. 14mm. AGGems no. 31.
Cornelian scarab. A figure like a winged satyr or Bes (an Egyptian/Phoenician deity) but with a lion body grapples a goat in a pose more appropriate to Bes than a Greek satyr.
London, Walters no. 317. 15mm. AGGems no. 35.
Chalcedony scarab from Cyprus. A six-winged goddess with winged head and heels carries a sun disc. A greek interpretation of the eastern winged disc.
Oxford 1966.595, I, no. *. 15mm. AGGems no. 40.