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Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior
The ancients did not all agree on the attributes of Serapis. A passage in Tacitus affirms that many recognized in this god, Aesculapius, imputing healing to his intervention; some thought him identical with Osiris, the oldest deity of the Egyptians; others regarded him as Jupiter, possessing universal power; but by most he was believed to be the same as Pluto, the "gloomy" Dis Pater of the infernal regions. The general impression of the ancients seems to have been that by Serapis, was to be understood the beginning and foundation of things. Julian II consulted the oracle of Apollo for the purpose of learning whether Pluto and Serapis were different gods; and he received for an answer that Jupiter-Serapis and Pluto were one and the same divinity.RP77300. Bronze pentassarion, H-J Marcianopolis 6.37.1.3 (R5), AMNG I/I 1121-2, Moushmov 797 800, gVF, well centered and struck, nice green patina (enhanced?), central cavities, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, weight 11.423g, maximum diameter 27.9mm, die axis 0o, magistrate Tullius Menophilus, 239 - 240 A.D.; obverse ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVG, AVT K M (ending below busts), confronted busts of Gordian on left, laureate, draped, and cuirassed, seen from behind; and Serapis on right, draped, wearing kalathos on head; reverse VP MHNOΦIΛOV MAPKIANOΠOΛI,T/Ω (final two letters in right field), Zeus standing left, nude but for cloak over shoulders, thunderbolt in right hand, long scepter in left hand, eagle left at feet on left, E (mark of value) upper left field; ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger auction 271 (17 Feb 2011), lot 2516; SOLD
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