In Mine Collection Domitian As Secular Games

Domitianus 81-96AD

Coin AS RIC 383.

29mm 10.33 gram
.
Mint: Struck in Rome, A.D. 88.
Obverse: IMP. CAES. DOMIT. AVG. GERM. P. M. TR. P. VIII CENS. PER. P. P; Radiate bust of Domitian right .
Reverse: COS. XIIII LVD. SAEC. FEC; Domitian standing left, sacrificing with patera over lighted and garlanded altar to left; to far left, Tiber reclining right, holding
cornucopia; between, lyre and flute players standing right; in background, hexastyle

Note:
Comments: Commemorates the Secular Games of .D. 88. The Secular Games, Ludi Saeculares, were religious ceremonies that took place in Rome every 100 or 110 years; they had a mythological origin but were actually held in 249 and 140 BC, after which they fell into abeyance until Augustus revived them in 17 BC. They involved sacrifices to a number of different gods and goddesses, after which there were theatrical performances and some athletic events.
Domitian's celebrations were commemorated on an extensive series of coins in all metals, with those in orichalcum and copper being the most elaborate. The legend LVDi SAECulares FECit is used throughout, and conveys the emperor as bringing the celebration of the games to the city. In the present example we see Domitian sacrificing in the presence of the Tiber, with two attendants adding a musical accompaniment

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