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Venus Genetrix
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Julia Domna, died AD 217(?), wife of Septimius Severus
AR - Antoninianus, 4.89g, 21mm
Rome AD 216
obv.: IVLIA PIA - FELIX AVG
draped bust on crescent, diademed head r.
rev.: VENVS GENETRIX
Venus sitting l. on throne, holding long sceptre l. and extending r. hand
RIC IV/1, Caracalla 388(a); C.211; BMCR.434
Scarce; about VF
VENUS GENETRIX. After the defeat at the Trasumenian lake AD 217 under Q.Fabius Maximus begin of the mythos of the troian origin of the Romans as anti-karthag.-pro-greek propaganda. Getting political importness in the 1st century BC as Aeneadum Genetrix and so becoming mother of the Gens Iulia and the Roman People. V.Genetrix first used by Sulla, then at the height by Caesar, reflected in Vergil's Aeneis.
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