Though he would have been in his mid to late twenties when this coin was struck, Caligula appears youthful and of pleasant disposition. Not at all like the ruthless despot that he was. However, Philo of Alexandria wrote that Caligula became ruthless after nearly dying of an illness in the eighth month of his reign in 37 AD. Juvenal wrote that he was given a magic potion that drove him insane, and Suetonius said that Caligula suffered from "falling sickness", or epilepsy, when he was young.
Interestingly the coin was issued under the magistrate Straton, also shown as Straton Medeos. According to the relevant page in the British Museum web site, his biography is shown as: Magistrate in Aezeni/Aizenoi under the reign of the emperor Caligula (q.v.). Straton held the title Medeos. In office 37-41 AD.
I can't find any information regarding Medeos as a title. Did it simply mean magistrate? If so, why would there be many references to Straton Medeos, magistrate? I have not seen any other magistrate referred to as Medeos.
Caligula. 37-41 AD. Provincial Semis (Assarion) of Aezanis in Phrygia. Straton, Medeos (magistrate).
Obverse: His laureate head right. Obverse Inscription: ΓAIOC KAIΣAP. Reverse: Zeus standing almost facing, head left, holding eagle and scepter. Reverse Inscription: AIZANITWN EΠI MHΔHOY. Bronze. Diameter: 20mm. Weight 5.09gm.
Reference: RPC I 3075; BMC 58.
https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/3075https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/310255
Posted 03/16/2023 1:28 pm
