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 Replies: 436 / Views: 33,057 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Threads like this are entertaining as well as relevant--because there was a colorful side to many emperors. Sometimes coin forums get a bit serious, so I don't mind a little levity mixed with history--it makes collecting more fun.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 3352 Posts |
DAY #13 => COINS #18(A&B)
During my frenzied ancient-collecting pace, I accidentally collected two examples of the same emperor (I am going to post both coins today)
COIN "A"
Elagabalus - AR TetradrachmAntioch, Syria 218-222 AD diameter: 26 mm weight: 12.80 gm OBV: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. REV: Eagle standing facing on ground line, head left, holding wreath in beak; D - E on either side, star between legs.   COIN "B"
Elagabalus - AR Denarius Rome mint: 219 A.D. 218-222 A.D. diameter: 20mm weight: 2.54 grams OBV: IMPANTONINVSAVG - Laureate, draped bust right. REV: PMTRPIICOSIIPP - Fortuna seated left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopia; wheel under chair Reference: RIC 19, S 7529   => please continue to post your comments on these coins, on the emperor, or any misc-comments regarding this era (thank you very much, my new ancient friends)
Edited by stevex6
04/13/2012 07:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
Some more very nice coins and another very nice eagle reverse.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Not a lot can be said about this young emperor, and what can be said is not very good. Elagabalus who's real name was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born @204 AD. He adopted the name Elagabalus from the Syrain sun god El Agabal of which he was a high priest. He was openly gay not an uncommon thing in those days, but he took this to new heights that even the Romans were shocked. He would visit brothels and compete with the prostitutes in customers and practices. He would further angered the Roman people by declaring the Roman Gods as secondary to his god. His continued practices and the his plans to assassinate his cousin Severus Alexander lead to a mutiny of the Praetorian Guards. Both he and his mother Julia Soaemias were killed, there bodies abused and than thrown over a bridge into the Tiber. The senate than passed a bill to have his name stricken from all records.
These are both very nice coins. I really like the tetradrachm, I don't have any in my collection and have been wanted to buy one for so time.
Edited by echizento
04/13/2012 11:54 am
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Quote:
He was openly gay not an uncommon thing in those days, but he took this to new heights that even the Romans were shocked => ummmm? ... ummmm? ... wasn't Elagabalus the dude that tried to start-up Greco-Roman "mud wrestling"!!? |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
History states that Elagabalus was a huge sports fan ...
=> ummm apparently, he was a huge suppoter of the Antioch Maple Leafs ...
ooops => I had an awesome photo, but I didn't want to get kicked off this site, so I kinda deleted it ... that's why there is was an "edit" ...
Go Canucks, Gooooooo!
Edited by stevex6
04/13/2012 7:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Wow, Steve, it's a great collection! You don't goof around with your ancients, top notch stuff, all with good detail! Looking forward to seeing the rest of it! (Did I use enough exclamations?) !
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
wow, hi svslav! => welcome back from ummm, where were ya again? ... anyway ...
=> hey, thanks for the coin-compliments
Edited by stevex6
04/14/2012 06:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
DAY #14 => COIN #17
Septimius Severus Denarius Date: 202-210 AD Diameter: 19.1-21.6 mm. Weight: 3.2 gr. Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG - Laureate head of Septimius Severus. Reverse: VICT PART MAX - Victory holding wreath and palm. References: RIC 295   => please make my day by continuing to add-in your comments on this coin, this emperor and/or anything else that might be interesting (thanks guys)
Edited by stevex6
04/14/2012 06:07 am
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Pillar of the Community
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2596 Posts |
Wow I like this one. Great details on both sides.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I'll post a quickie so others can add to it later Towards the end of his reign he travelled to Britain to fight the Scots, he repaired Hadrians Wall (Wallsend (nice bit of common sense later naming!) to the Solway Firth) and also the mainly turf wall further north known as the Antonine Wall (Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde). His ambitions were cut short when he fell fatally ill in late 210. Severus died in early 211 at York, succeeded by his sons Caracalla and Geta. The Severan dynasty was the last 'strong' dynasty before the Crisis of the Third Century. After Severus died Roman desire to conquer Scotland disappeared, the troops withdrew to Hadrians Wall and the future border was pretty much set. Britain was still pretty wild at this point and Gladiator graveyards dated to around the time of Severus have been found. Although Gladiatorial fights were becoming unpopular elsewhere in the Empire they were still happening in Britain, probably due to the large numbers of troops, far from home, bored and wanting a bit of entertainment. |
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Moderator
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23731 Posts |
Lucius Septimius Severus was born in 146 AD at Leptis Magna in North Africa. His family was of the Equestrian order. He received a classical education completing his studies in Athens. After his studies he went to Rome and worked as an orator and lawyer. He later entered the army and do to his talents quickly rose in rank. Spring forward a number of years to 193 AD after the murder of Commodus, and hearing of rise of Didius Julianus, Septimius had homself proclaimed emperor by his troops. Septimius along with his sixteen legions crushed any others from becoming emperor.
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Quote:
The Severan dynasty was the last 'strong' dynasty before the Crisis of the Third Century. Quote:
Septimius along with his sixteen legions crushed any others from becoming emperor. => wow, it sounds like Septimius and his armies were a well oiled fighting machine!! ... brawn certainly seemed to carry more weight than brains in those days ... Thanks for your comments, gang!!  Edited by stevex6
04/14/2012 12:20 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
thanks guys => yah, I love this coin too, but I've kinda wondered whether the "extra" silver is a downside, or kind of an upside? ... sadly, I kinda think that the "extra-stuff" is probably a bit of a flaw rather than an asset, eh?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
That's how the coin was minted and the extra metal just makes it more original IMO, even if it is a bit distracting.
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Replies: 436 / Views: 33,057 |
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Posted 04/13/2012 07:05 am
