The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch MS* Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Elagabalus (ca. 203-222 AD) was infamous for a rule marked by religious controversy and sexual perversion. He ascended to power via the machinations of his Syrian mother, Julia Soaemias, who publically (and falsely) declared that he was the illegitimate son of her cousin, the assassinated Emperor Caracalla. He even adopted Caracalla’s names, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (as seen on the obverse of this coin). History, however, remembers him as Elegabalus, for his devotion to the Syrian sun god, Elegabal. Born a high priest of the sun god religion, when he ascended to power at the age of 14, Elegabalus strove to replace the traditional Roman gods with his own. He imported holy Syrian artifacts and erected new temples, replacing Jupiter with his sun god. He personally presided over religious rites, which all were forced to attend, thus managing to estrange Roman Pagans, Jews and Christians alike. The reverse of this coin proudly proclaims MARS VICTOR and displays the God of war as a heroically nude figure wearing a crested helmet and brandishing a spear, with a military trophy over his shoulder. This is classic Roman propaganda, as nothing could be further from Elagbalus’ personality. Elagabalus was probably transgender, as he dressed as a woman in public and reportedly offered a fortune to any physician who could make him female. He may have married up to five times, including a vestal virgin and a male athlete whom he wed in a public ceremony; although his most stable, long-term relationship was with his slave and chariot-driver, Hierocles. He play-acted at prostituting himself, standing nude in a designated room in the palace, soliciting “passers-by” (men he had specially selected to play that role). Luckily for Rome, he largely ignored day-to-day governing, leaving it to his mother and grandmother. Principally because of his sexual promiscuity and perceived perversion, his popularity declined. He was forced to name his cousin Alexander Severus as heir, whom he later attempted to have assassinated by his Praetorian Guard. They revolted and killed him instead. Elegabalus was only 18 years old when he died. Coin details: Roman Empire, Elagabalus (218-222 AD), AR Double-Denarius (4.94 g), NGC Grade: Ch MS *, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped bust right, seen from behind, IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG, Reverse: Mars, nude with flowing cloak, advancing right, spear pointing forward in right hand, trophy in left hand over shoulder, MARS VICTOR, Reference: RIC IV, Part II, 120 (S).

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