The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

The ancient Romans delighted in their natural world. They were particularly fascinated with animals, evidenced by surviving media such as books, sculptures, and mosaics. Rome’s local wildlife certainly provided enough creatures for inspiration, whether they roamed the land, swam in the sea, or soared through the air. Even the story of Rome’s founding comprises important animal elements from Faustulus’ goats to the helpful woodpecker and she-wolf nurturing the infants Romulus and Remus. The ancient Romans grew adept at both hunting as well as husbandry. Besides the obvious source of food, animals served as beasts of burden, tools of war, or simply companions for their human keepers. Rome imported exotic creatures from all over the accessible world. Notable examples include elephants, lions, hippopotami, rhinoceri, camels, giraffes, ostriches, parakeets, and parrots. Some of these beasts were exploited in gladiatorial games and triumphal processions. Others were kept for personal amusement. For instance, some Romans built their own piscinae, or fishponds. As another example, various breeds of dogs were employed across the Empire for a wide variety of purposes. It is not surprising that many different animals were represented on ancient Roman coinage. The current antoninianus provides one such example. It was struck in Rome around 253-254 AD to commemorate Egnatia Mariniana, who was probably the former wife of Augustus Valerian (the surviving evidence regarding the relationship is so scant, we can’t be certain). The obverse depicts the veiled, draped, and stephane-donning bust of Mariniana set atop a crescent. The accompanying epithet, DIVAE MARINIANAE, indicates the former Augusta’s divine upgrade. Completing the message, a peacock proudly splays his elaborate tail across the coin’s reverse, encircled by the inscription CONSECRATIO. The peacock was one of many different animals that the Romans chose as a numismatic element, dating back to at least the reign of Emperor Trajan. Owing its bodacious tail, the bird came to symbolize royalty and power in its native land of India. The ancient Romans adopted the peacock, and it became firmly entrenched in their culture. Peacock meat and eggs were highly prized Roman cuisine. Furthermore, the peacock earned divine status, owing its association with the Greek goddess Hera, wife of Zeus (the Roman equivalents were Juno and Jupiter). According to mythology, Hera appointed Argus, her one-hundred eyed watchman, to guard Io, one of her husband’s numerous paramours. Argus was killed in the attempt, and afterwards Hera decided to transform Argus’ one hundred eyes into the ocular patterns adorning the peacock’s feathers. Thus, the Romans often depicted Juno accompanied by a peacock, and the bird even served to power her chariot across the sky and stars. The peacock was also associated with the consecration of Roman emperors and empresses, as on the reverse of this antoninianus struck for Augusta Mariniana. Although paganism eventually declined, the peacock’s religious significance endured within other faiths such as Islam and Christianity. Like other birds, the peacock molts periodically, leading to its employment as a symbol of renewal and resurrection in early Christian and Byzantine culture. To this day, the peacock is a popular resident at public gardens all over the world, where its fantastic plumage and haunting calls be appreciated. Coin Details: ADD INSCRIPTION ROMAN EMPIRE, Diva Mariniana, Died before AD 253, AR Antoninianus (21mm, 3.84 g, 7h), Rome mint, 1st emission of Valerian and Gallienus, AD 253-254, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Veiled and draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent, Reverse: Peacock standing facing, head right. RIC V 4; MIR 36, 213b; RSC 4.

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in