The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: 60
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

In 224 AD, Ardashir of the house of Sassan dethroned King Artabanus V, marking the transition from Parthian to Sassanid Empire. At its height, the realm stretched from the Himalayas to Egypt and the Marmara Sea. The Sassanids dominated western and central Asia for nearly half a millennium. Their only significant rival was the Roman Empire, with whom it shared some periods of peaceful coexistence, but more often than not, bitter warfare. Like the Romans, the Sassanids expended much of their economy and manpower on their military, although they tended to focus more on plunder than occupation. Like their Parthian predecessors, the Sassanids were strong and formidable warriors. Their fearsome, heavily armored cavalry, the Cataphracts, resembled an approaching sea of solid iron. The Sassanids honored their Kings on coinage, notable for ostentation, if not variety. The issue of this particular drachm occurred during the reign of Ardashir’s son, Shapur (sometimes spelled Shahpur) I. The obverse bust features a plethora of accoutrements: a four-turreted, jeweled tiara; a silk cap - with attached earflaps – decorated with pearls and gemstones; an Orymbos (an ancient turban that signified the King); gemstone-laden hair (and beard) expertly tied up in ribbons; a necklace of jewels, and; a decorated, bordered cape worn about the neck and shoulders, held in front by (of course) a jeweled clasp. The inscription is equally ornate: Mazdah worshipper, the divine Shapur, King of Kings of Airan, or of celestial Aryan origins. The theme continues on the coin’s reverse, wherein two muscular, spear-toting figures attend a massive fire altar: the one on the right is Shapur (note the towering Orymbos). The reverse inscription, Fire of Shapur, equates the ruler with the supreme god Ahuramazda, whose energy embodies the fire altar. The latter symbolizes the Persian religious philosophy founded by and named after Zoroaster (Zarathustra), dating back to early first millennia BC, around the time of the founding of the first Persian Empire. Zarathusthra described how events were based on cause and effect, and his teachings were strongly dualistic. His philosophy was based on “good reflection, good word, and good deed,” urging ethical demands on his fellow Persians. Zarathustra also taught that human wisdom was the fruit of good reflection, promoting science and education. These concepts might seem inconsistent to the depictions of Shapur and his Sassanid Empire per mainstream (i.e., Roman-centric) history: warmongering, ruthless, and greedy (adjectives arguably well suited for the Romans). Upon closer, objective examination of surviving evidence, the interaction between the two ancient superpowers appears more complex. The early 240s AD confrontations between Shapur and Gordian III provide an example. According to commonly cited (mostly anti-Persian) records, Gordian had the upper hand, retaking many cities Shapur previously sacked, and preparing to siege the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon. The imminent Roman victory fell through when Gordian died, probably at the hands of his own troops. Philip then assumed title of Augustus and decided to bribe Shapur into a truce, and return to Rome, securing his power: a puzzling outcome, considering the Romans’ supposed advantage. Surviving are Shapur’s personal notes of these events - even if history has not paid close attention – wherein he straightforwardly described the defeat and death of Gordian in battle, and acceptance of Philip’s offer of half a million denarii to preserve his life. Also consistent with Shapur’s writings are rock carvings he commissioned to commemorate his victory. Curiously, Philip also claimed to be the victor, albeit once he was far away from the Sasannids. A decade later (252-256 AD), Shapur once again advanced into Roman territory. Western histories of this period are brief, contradictory and biased, focusing on the effect of plague ravaging the Romans (which the Sasannids used to their -perhaps unfair - advantage), Augustus Valerian’s attempt to parley, only to be captured by the treacherous Shapur, and his subsequent torture and murder (one account even claimed him flayed alive, and his skin used to make a footstool to help Shapur mount his horse). These events are not consistent with Shapurs’s complete and lucid personal account, wherein he noted that the Romans reneged on territorial and economic promises, prompting the re-plunder. He also recorded his triumph, capture of prisoners, and their deportation into his kingdom. Moreover, a variety of Shapur’s rock carvings have survived, and all show Valerian unfettered and in regalia, in contrast to the rumors of any vile mistreatment. All history is prone to some extent of bias, and the exact details of Shapur’s encounters with his Roman adversaries will probably never be known with certainty. Regardless, he bested the Romans more than once during his three-decade reign – outlasting over a dozen Augsuti – proving his prowess and the potency of his Sasannid Empire that would not be defeated until the Muslim conquests of 7th century AD. Additional Reading: S. Shahbazi, SHAPUR I: i. History, Encyclopaedia Iranica, 2002. Coin Details: SASSANID EMPIRE, Shahpur I, 240-272 AD, AR Drachm (4.74 gm;25 mm), NGC Grade: Pending, Strike: Pending, Surface: Pending, Obverse:Mazdayasna, Shahpur, King of Kings of Airan, of celestial Aryan origins), Reverse: Fire altar; flanked by two attendants wearing diadems (type 3b) and mural crowns. References: SNS type IIc/1a, style G; Göbl type I/1.

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