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Last comments - Blindado
RPC2441.jpg
RPC 2441 VespasianÆ Diobol, 10.28g
Alexandria mint, 73-74 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LϚ; Bust of Sarapis, r.
RPC 2441 (16 spec.). Emmett 218.6. Dattari-Savio 401.
Acquired from Tater's Relics, eBay, April 2023.

The cult of Sarapis gained importance during the Flavian dynasty because of Vespasian's vital connection to Egypt during the Civil War. Alexandria was the first city to declare for him in July 69 and in November he arrived there to await the outcome of the war and to secure the grain supply to Rome. According to both Tacitus and Suetonius during Vespasian's sojourn in Alexandria he paid a visit to the temple of Sarapis alone to consult the god about the chances of success in his bid for the empire. After receiving a positive sign from the god he was able to administer healing miracles to the local Alexandrians. Of course, all of this was later Flavian propaganda intended to bolster Vespasian's claim to the purple. It should come as no surprise that Sarapis figured prominently on the local coinage under Vespasian, being commonly struck on the bronze diobol. This fine style example of the type struck in regnal year 6 features neatly engraved obverse and reverse busts.
4 commentsDavid Atherton04/27/23 at 00:07Blindado: Gorgeous!
Cilicia_Soloi_Jameson-III-1608_.jpg
Cilicia. Amazon/Grapes Stater of Soloi. Asia Minor. Cilicia. 410-375 B.C. AR stater. (10.67 gm, 19.9mm, 9h) of Soloi. Amazon (Antiope?), wearing pointed headdress, nude to the waist and kneeling l., stringing her bow, with drapery & gorytos (bow-case) at her waist. / Bunch of grapes on vine; ankh to lower right (partially off flan); ΣΟΛΕΩΝ - Θ. EF Davissons Auction 41 #56. "Uncommonly choice example, well centered and well struck." Casabonne Type 3; MFA Boston #2124 (same obv. die); SNG France 2 #135 var. (A-Θ). Jameson III #1608 = Baldwin's Auction 99 #152; SNG Levante - ; SNG von Aulock - .5 commentsAnaximander03/25/23 at 00:33Blindado: Spectacular! The detail on the gorytos is wonderfu...
rr_1074_revised_Large.jpg
0006 Sextus Pompey -- Pompey the Great and Neptune with Catanaean BrothersSextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]

Obv: [MAG⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER]; portrait of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus r.; behind jug; before lituus. Border of dots.
Rev: above, [PRAE (AE ligatured) F]; in exergue, CLAS⦁ET⦁[ORAE (AE ligatured)⦁MAR (ligatured) IT⦁EX⦁S⦁C]; Neptune standing l., wearing diadem, aplustre in r. hand, cloak over l. arm, r. foot on prow,; on either side a Catanaean brother bearing one of his parents on his shoulders1. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location2; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC3; Weight: 3.68g; Diameter: 17mm; Die axis: 30º; References, for example: Sear CRI 334; BMCRR v. II Sicily 7, 8, 9, and 10; Sydenham 1344; Crawford RRC 511/3a.

Notes:

Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁ET⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁EX⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]

1Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily appears a bit hesitant in his pronouncement that the representation of the Catanaean brothers in fact refers to Sextus' title Pius (p. 561), but Sear CRI appears to have no such hesitation when he states "...the type illustrates the theme of 'Pietas' in connection with the assumption of the name Pius." (p.203). DeRose Evans (1987) goes further (pp. 115 - 116), arguing that Sextus chose the Catanaean brothers ("...he consciously identifies himself with the south Italian heroes") as a way to deliberately contrast his Pietas with that of Octavian's.
2Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily tentatively suggests Catana as a possible location and Sear CRI follows suit.
3This is the date range argued for in Estiot 2006 (p. 145). Estiot recommends returning to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.560 proposes 42 - 38 BC and Sydenham, p. 210 follows suit. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 offers a time between late summer 36 and September 36 BC.

Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics 11 June 2019; from the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland, acquired from Hess AG in Luzern prior to 1975. Ex Dr. Jacob Hirsch 33, 17 November 1913 Lot 1058.

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

CLICK FOR SOURCES
4 commentsTracy Aiello02/24/23 at 00:02Blindado: Amazing portrait!
Q_Nasidius.jpg
0001 Sextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet [Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]Q. Nasidius for Sextus Pompey

Obv: NEPTVNI (open P) downward on the l., bareheaded portrait of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus facing r., trident with prongs pointing upward on the r., dolphin facing r. below neck, banker's mark to r. of bottom of neck. Border of dots.
Rev: Q. NASIDIVS below galley moving r. with billowing sail and bank of rowers, steersman on l. facing r. on stern with star above, pilot on r. facing r. standing on prow. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location1; Date 42 BC2; Weight: 3.87g; Diameter: 19mm: Die axis: 150º; References, for example: Cohen 15; Babelon Nasidia 1 and Pompeia 28; BMCRR v. II Sicily 21; Crawford RRC 483/2; Sydenham 1350; CRI 235.

Notes:

Q. Nasidius, a naval commander under Pompey the Great, eventually wound up in the services of Sextus. See Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily p. 564 and Sear CRI pp. 139 - 140.

1Sydenham, Crawford RRC, and Estiot (2006) place the minting of this coin type in Sicily, but without referencing a location. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily also places the minting of this coin in Sicily and hesitatingly suggests the city of Catana. By his own admission "...this attribution is quite conjectural" (p. 557). Sear CRI, however, argues for a completely different location. On the basis of the naval theme and the absence of the title PRAEF⦁ORAE⦁MARIT⦁ET⦁CLAS⦁S⦁C, which for him pushes the date of minting to a time prior to April of 43 BC, Sear posits the minting of this coin to Sextus' time at the port of Massilia in southern Gaul.
2This is the date argued for in Estiot (2006) (p. 145), "...possibly around the time just before the beginning of the issue of Sextus Pompieus" imp. iter. praef. clas. et orae marit ex S C. coinage" [translation my own]. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily proposes 38 - 36 BC with Sydenham and DeRose Evans (1987) following suit. Crawford RRC suggests 44 - 43 BC.

Provenance: Ex CNG Auction 114 May 13, 2020 Lot 646; From the B. G. Collection, Ex CNG Auction 108 May 16, 2018 Lot 526.

Photo Credits: CNG

CLICK FOR SOURCES
4 commentsTracy Aiello02/24/23 at 00:02Blindado: Outstanding coin!
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Gordian II Billon Tetradrachm of AlexandriaEmmett 3354, cf Milne 3302 of Gordian I
12.07 g, 23 mm
Dated Year 1 = 238 AD.
A K M AN GORDIANOC AFP EVCE, laureate cuirassed bust right
L-A, eagle standing left, head right with wreath in its beak.
[Milne lists obverse legends for Gordian II but, oddly, ascribes no such types]
Extremely Rare
(Attribution and comments by the late Dave Surber)
1 commentsMark Z02/23/23 at 22:45Blindado: A rare beast. Congratulations!
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Gordian I SestertiusRIC IVb 12
20.53 g, 27 mm x 29 mm
IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
VICTORIA AVGG S-C, Victory advancing left, holding wreath & palm
Scarce
5 commentsMark Z02/23/23 at 22:43Blindado: Outstanding acquisition!
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NepotianNepotian
Maiorina 350 AD. Rome.
Spink 18912, RIC 202, Cohen 3
OBV: FL POP NEPOT - IANVS P F AVG. Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
REV: VRBS ROMA. Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory on globe and spear; shield to right. AE. 4.37 g. Very rare. Choice F.
Ex: Tauler & Fau Auction 117, Lot 4755
3 commentsMark Z02/23/23 at 13:59Blindado: Congratulations! This makes the second Nepotian in...
RPC_II_1673A_Domitianus.jpg
RPC II 1673A DomitianusObv: AYT KAI ΔOMITIANOC ΣEBACTOC ΓEPM, Laureate head right
Rev: ETO ΙΓ (across field), Bust of Amazon l., with long curls on neck; over shoulder, bipennis
AR/Didrachm (21.55 mm 5.915 g 6h) Struck in Rome (for Cappadocia) 93-94 AD
RPC II 1673A.1 (this coin), Metcalf unpublished
ex Savoca 95th Silver Auction lot 423
4 commentsFlaviusDomitianus08/17/22 at 23:52Blindado: I have a collection of coins depicting amazons (se...
T432a.jpg
RIC 432 Tiberius, Restored by TitusÆ As, 11.18g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST IMP VIII; Head of Tiberius, bare, l.
Rev: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST; S C in centre
RIC 432 (C2). BMC -. BNC 294.
Acquired from Ken Dorney, May 2021. Ex James Pickering Collection.

Titus struck an extensive restoration series of bronze coins of Flavian approved past emperors and imperial family members which reproduced the original coins in their entirety. While this veneration of past coinages was not a new idea (Vespasian copied past types on many reverses for the precious metal issues) it was quite an innovation to copy both the obverse and reverse of these past coinages. To do so likely had a dual purpose - one, to recoin types that were being recalled or falling out of circulation and to keep their memory alive, and secondly to link the Flavian house with those past revered personages. The meaning is quite clear on the reverse with Titus declaring he has restored (REST) the coin.

This restoration As struck for Tiberius copies a familiar type originally struck by both Augustus and Tiberius as emperor. From a modern point of view the choice of the coin's subject for restoration is puzzling. Long before Suetonius's infamous swimming pool scene in his Life of Tiberius immortalised Tiberius as a sexual deviant, he apparently was considered in Flavian times as one of the 'good' emperors worthy of remembrance, despite his lack of deification.
3 commentsDavid Atherton06/09/21 at 04:27Blindado: Extremely interesting analysis! Oh, and coin.
RIC_815_Domitianus~0.jpg
RIC 0815 DomitianusObv: DOMITIANVS AVG GERM, Bare head right
Rev: Hexastyle temple on podium of two steps; within, Jupiter seated flanked by two figures; on roof, quadriga facing flanked by two standing figures each on right and left; architrave inscribed IMP CAESAR
AR/Denarius (20.03 mm 2.80 g 6h) Struck in Rome 95-96 A.D.
R.I.C. 815 (R2) - RSC 174 - BMCRE 242 - BNF 216
ex Gitbud & Naumann eBay 2012
4 commentsFlaviusDomitianus05/27/21 at 04:20Blindado: Outstanding! The Jupiter statue is incredible.
Domitian_RIC_568.jpg
RIC 0568Domitian AR Denarius. Rome 88 CE Group 2
Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERMANIC COS XIII
Rev: Minerva Minerva stg l with thunderbolt and spear; CENS P.P.P.
RIC-568 (R2) BMC 139 RSC 27
Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3133 March 7, 2019



I was very excited to win this one. It took a little over one month to receive the coin. It required export paperwork and this can be a slow process.

There is an interesting feature of the obverse legend on this coin. It is very common to see GERM in the obverse legend on coins of Domitian. What is not common is to see GERMANIC in the legend. That alone makes this coin special and worth collecting.

This coin is also special because of the reverse. Note that there is no typical edge lettering. The only legend is across the fields of the coin. This is not a typical Domitian Minerva denarius. In fact, there are only 2 types of Domitian denarii with CENS PPP on the reverse. There is RIC 568 like this coin which is rated R2 for rarity, and there is RIC 569 which is rated R. I have wanted this type for a while but because of the rarity I had to wait until one appeared on the market. When this one did appear I bid aggressively and won the coin.

The other special characteristic is the condition. I loved the portrait on this one. The photo does not do it justice. The portrait is in very high relief and is in fine style.

6 commentsorfew03/11/19 at 11:11Blindado: Wonderful piece!
2-Gordian-I-RIC-1.jpg
02. Gordian I / RIC 1.Denarius, March - April 238, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG / Laureate bust of Gordian I.
Reverse: P M TR P COS P P / Gordian I standing, togate, holding branch, and wearing parzonium.
2.88 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #1; Sear #8446.

The third century saw numerous usurpers in various parts of the Empire. However, the local revolt in Africa which brought Gordian I and his son to power was the first and only time the cause of a usurper was taken up by the Senate before a current emperor was dead. Thus the Gordiani became legitimate Roman emperors, and their coinage, all minted at the imperial mint in Rome, became legitimate coinage of the Empire.

Provenance:
ex Gillardi Collection.
Tinchant sale (1962).
4 commentsCallimachus11/10/18 at 23:35Blindado: Magnificent!
Pertinax_01.jpg
RIC 4a, p.008, 13a - Pertinax, emperor sacrificing Pertinax
AR Denarius, AD 193
Obv.: IMP CAES P HELV [PERTIN] AVG, laureate head right
Rev.: VOT DECEN TR P COS II, Pertinax, togate and veiled, sacrificing left from patera over altar.
Ag, 3.04g, 16x18mm
Ref.: BMCRE 24, Cohen 56, RIC 13a
1 commentsshanxi09/11/18 at 00:35Blindado: Nice portrait!
Faustina_II_R615_fac.jpg
Denar, RIC 3, p.274, 753 - Faustina II, MATRI CASTRORVMFaustina Minor
AR-Denar, Rome, AD 175-176
Obv.: DIVAE FAVSTINAE PIAE, veiled and draped bust right
Rev.: MATRI CASTRORVM, Faustina seated left, holding globe surmounted by Phoenix and sceptre; two signa before
Ag, 3.19g
Ref.: RIC 753, CRE 175 [R2]
2 commentsshanxi09/11/18 at 00:29Blindado: I especially like the reverse. I need one of these...
R611_Faustina_II_fac.jpg
Denar, RIC 3, p.094, 506c - Faustina II, LaetitiaFaustina Minor
AR-Denar, Rome, AD 147-148
Obv.: FAVSTINAE AVG. PII AVG. FIL. Draped bust right, wearing stephane and pearls.
Rev.: LAETITIAE PVBLICAE, Laetitia, draped and diademed, standing left, holding long scepter in her left hand, wreath in her outstretched right hand.
Ag, 3.58g, 17mm
Ref.: RIC 506c, CRE 196 [S]


for the same type, but bust with band of pearls click here

2 commentsshanxi09/11/18 at 00:20Blindado: Fantastic portrait!
DenManlioTorquatoLSilla.jpg
Denarius - 82 BC. - Mint moving with Sulla
L. MANLIVS TORQVATVS & L. CORNELIVS SVLLA - Gens Manlia & Cornelia
Obv.: Helmeted head of Roma right, PROQ behind; L MANLI T (T in horizontal position) before.
Rev.: Triumphator in quadriga right, crowned by flying Victory, L SVLLA IMP in ex.
Gs. 4,1 mm. 17,86x18,26
Crawf. 367/3, Sear RCV 287, Grueber II (East) 13

On the coins of this Sulla's issue, there is one of the best stylistic depictions of Rome's head
2 commentsMaxentius09/06/18 at 00:17Blindado: Beautiful!
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Julius Caesar Craw. 480/5bJulius Caesar. AR Denarius, 44 BC.
(19.00 mm 3.68 g)
Obv:. Laureate head right; before, CAESAR IMP; behind, star of eight rays.
Rev: P. SEPVLLIVS MACER. Venus standing left, holding Victory and sceptre (resting on star?).
Cr. 480/5b RSC 41 BMC 4165 Syd 1071Sear (2000) 1412
A very elegant portrait. Perfectly struck on broad flan. Areas of flatness and scratch on obverse, otherwise about VF.
Ex: Artemide Asti E-Auction 43 E, June 9, 2018.

This coin features a lifetime portrait of Julius Caesar as dictator. It took me a while to find one that I liked. When these come up for auction there is much competition for them. It is not that they are particularly rare, one can find numerous examples for sale at any given time, it is the fact that these are sought after by many collectors. A lifetime portrait of Julius Caesar is a major purchase (at least for me), and would be the centerpiece of many ancient coin collections.

This particular coin features a portrait of Julius Caesar on the obverse with the legend “Caesar Imp”, meaning Julius Caesar Imperator. At this time “Imperator” did not exactly mean emperor it was more like victorious general. On the reverse we see Venus standing and the name of the moneyer who issued the coin. Venus is important as Julius Caesar claimed he was a descendant of Venus. The moneyer’s name is P. Sepullius Macer. On some other lifetime denarii the obverse legend is “Dict Perpetuo” or dictator for life. For some Romans this was too much to stand for. The Romans had a troubled history with their kings and did not want to return to those times. Some believe that this coin so troubled high ranking Romans that it led to the assassination of Ceasar.

One fascinating aspect of these lifetime denarii is that they were minted before the assassination. This coin in particular was issued near the end of February which means it was minted mere weeks before the death of Julius Caesar on March 15. One of the ideas that attracted me to ancient coins in the first place concerned holding a piece of important history in one’s hand. It can be argued that the life and death of Caesar were very important to history. Holding one of these coins takes us back to an important and fascinating historical period.

As to the coin itself, it is struck on a large flan, the portrait is well centered, the obverse legend is very easy to read, and the reverse is quite pleasing as well with good details preserved. The obverse portrait has a deep scratch across the head. However, given the other qualities of the coin this was easy to overlook.
6 commentsorfew06/10/18 at 23:18Blindado: The facial skin folds are terrific!
GordianIAfr.jpg
Gordian I Africanus / AthenaGordian I Africanus, Egypt, Alexandria. A.D. 238. BI tetradrachm (22 mm, 12.47 g, 12 h). RY 1.
O: A K M AN ΓOPΔIANOC CЄM AΦ ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian I right
R: Athena seated left, holding Nike and spear; in left field, date (L A).
- Köln 2600; cf. Dattari (Savio) 4656 (legend); Kampmann & Ganschow 68.6., Ex Coin Galleries (16 July 2003), 264.

Perhaps the most reluctant of Emperors, Gordian I (Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus Augustus) was Roman Emperor for one month with his son Gordian II in 238, the Year of the Six Emperors. Caught up in a rebellion against the Emperor Maximinus Thrax, he was defeated by forces loyal to Maximinus before committing suicide.

According to Edward Gibbon:

"An iniquitous sentence had been pronounced against some opulent youths of [Africa], the execution of which would have stripped them of far the greater part of their patrimony. (…) A respite of three days, obtained with difficulty from the rapacious treasurer, was employed in collecting from their estates a great number of slaves and peasants blindly devoted to the commands of their lords, and armed with the rustic weapons of clubs and axes. The leaders of the conspiracy, as they were admitted to the audience of the procurator, stabbed him with the daggers concealed under their garments, and, by the assistance of their tumultuary train, seized on the little town of Thysdrus, and erected the standard of rebellion against the sovereign of the Roman empire. (...) Gordianus, their proconsul, and the object of their choice [as emperor], refused, with unfeigned reluctance, the dangerous honour, and begged with tears that they should suffer him to terminate in peace a long and innocent life, without staining his feeble age with civil blood. Their menaces compelled him to accept the Imperial purple, his only refuge indeed against the jealous cruelty of Maximin (...)."

Because of the absence of accurate dating in the literary sources, the precise chronology of these events has been the subject of much study. The present consensus among historians assigns the following dates (all in the year 238 A.D.) to these events: March 22nd Gordian I, II were proclaimed Emperors in Africa; April 1st or 2nd they were recognized at Rome; April 12th they were killed (after reigning twenty days); April 22nd Pupienus and Balbinus were proclaimed Emperors; June 24th Maximinus and his son were assassinated outside of Aquileia; July 29th Pupienus and Balbinus were assassinated and Gordian III proclaimed as sole Augustus.
3 commentsNemonater10/25/17 at 21:03Blindado: You are a skilled hunter. Great coin!
Fulvia_01.jpg
Cr. 489/5, Fulvia, Lion, QuinariusFulvia (83 BC – 40 BC)
Powerful aristocratic woman, wife of Publius Clodius Pulcher (62-52 BC), Gaius Scribonius Curio (52-51 BC) and Marcus Antonius (47-40 BC).
AR Quinarius, Late 43-42 BC
Obv.: Winged bust of Fulvia as Victory
Rev.: [LVGV] DVNI [A] XL, Lion advancing right
Ag, 1.66g, 13.2mm
Ref.: Craw. 489/5, RPC 512, Syd. 1160
3 commentsshanxi10/22/17 at 21:54Blindado: This is the best example in the members' galle...
0199.jpg
0199 - Denarius Licinia 55 BCObv/ Laureate bust of Venus r., togate and with stephane; behind, SC.
Rev/ Female figure standing front, leading horse and holding spear; at feet, cuirass and shield; around, P CRASSVS M F.

Ag, 4.09 g
Moneyer: P. Licinius Crassus M.f.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 430/1 - BMCRR Rome 3901 - Syd. 929 - RSC Licinia 18
ex-Bremens-Belleville, november 2014, lot 363 (ex-St.Florian monastery, Dorotheum, june 1956, lot 2764 / ex. Apostolo Zeno colln., 18th c.)
1 commentsdafnis10/22/17 at 15:34Blindado: Nice coin! You might want to see my thread on Lici...
Plautilla_(202-205)_denarius_(AR).jpg
Plautilla (202-205) denarius (AR)Obv.: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA (Draped bust of empress) Rev.: CONCORDIA AVGG (Concordia standing with patera and sceptre) Weight: 2,74 g Diameter: 19 mm RIC 363 (a)3 commentsNick.vdw01/26/14 at 19:18Blindado: I agree. Lovely portrait!
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The First 12You know who they are!10 commentsNemonater12/04/13 at 20:13Blindado: Wonderful choices.
VespDenSalus.jpg
1aw Vespasian69-79

Denarius
Laureate head, right, IMP CAES VESP AVG CEN
Salus seated left with patera, SALVS AVG

RIC 513 (C2)

Suetonius wrote: The Flavians seized power, and the Empire, long troubled and adrift, afflicted by the usurpations and deaths of three emperors, at last achieved stability. True they were an obscure family, with no great names to boast of, yet one our country has no need to be ashamed of. . . . Vespasian was born in the Sabine country, in the little village of Falacrinae just beyond Reate (Rieti), on the 17th of November 9 AD in the consulship of Quintus Sulpicius Camerinus and Gaius Poppaeus Sabinus, five years before the death of Augustus. He was raised by his paternal grandmother Tertulla on her estate at Cosa. . . .

Under Claudius, he was sent to Germany (in 41 AD) to command a legion, thanks to the influence of Narcissus. From there he was posted to Britain (in 43 AD), where partly under the leadership of Aulus Plautius and partly that of Claudius himself, he fought thirty times, subjugating two powerful tribes, more than twenty strongholds, and the offshore island of Vectis (the Isle of Wight). This earned him triumphal regalia, and a little later two priesthoods and the consulship (in 51 AD) which he held for the last two months of the year. . . . He won, by lot, the governorship of Africa (in 63 AD), ruling it soundly and with considerable dignity. . . .

An ancient and well-established belief became widespread in the East that the ruler of the world at this time would arise from Judaea. This prophecy as events proved referred to the future Emperor of Rome, but was taken by the Jews to apply to them. They rebelled, killed their governor, and routed the consular ruler of Syria also, when he arrived to restore order, capturing an Eagle. To crush the rebels needed a considerable force under an enterprising leader, who would nevertheless not abuse power. Vespasian was chosen, as a man of proven vigour, from whom little need be feared, since his name and origins were quite obscure. Two legions with eight divisions of cavalry and ten cohorts of auxiliaries were added to the army in Judaea, and Vespasian took his elder son, Titus, along as one of his lieutenants. . . .

Yet Vespasian made no move, though his follower were ready and eager, until he was roused to action by the fortuitous support of a group of soldiers unknown to him, and based elsewhere. Two thousand men, of the three legions in Moesia reinforcing Otho’s forces, despite hearing on the march that he had been defeated and had committed suicide, had continued on to Aquileia, and there taken advantage of the temporary chaos to plunder at will. Fearing that if they returned they would be held to account and punished, they decided to choose and appoint an emperor of their own, on the basis that they were every bit as worthy of doing so as the Spanish legions who had appointed Galba, or the Praetorian Guard which had elected Otho, or the German army which had chosen Vitellius. They went through the list of serving consular governors, rejecting them for one reason or another, until in the end they unanimously adopted Vespasian, who was recommended strongly by some members of the Third Legion, which had been transferred to Moesia from Syria immediately prior to Nero’s death. . . .

Vespasian, an unheralded and newly-forged emperor, as yet lacked even a modicum of prestige and divine majesty, but this too he acquired. . . . Returning to Rome (in 70 AD) attended by such auspices, having won great renown, and after a triumph awarded for the Jewish War, he added eight consulships (AD 70-72, 74-77, 79) to his former one, and assumed the censorship. He first considered it essential to strengthen the State, which was unstable and well nigh fatally weakened, and then to enhance its role further during his reign. . . .
2 commentsBlindado09/08/13 at 18:47Blindado: Thank you! Very Happy
fulvia.JPG
Fulvia, 3rd wife of Marc Antony. Died 40 BCEL. Mussidius Longus
AR Denarius, Rome mint, 42 BCE. (17 mm, 3.5 g)
Obv: Draped bust of Fulvia as Victory, r.
Rev: L. MVSSIDIVS / LONGVS, Victory in biga r., holding reins.
Sear 1517; RRC 494/40; BMCRR 4229; Sydenham 1095; RSC Mussidia 4.
1 comments09/08/13 at 16:30Blindado: Beautiful as is. I can only imagine how it looked ...
ANNIA FAUSTINA-1.JPG
Annia Faustina, 3rd wife of Elagabalus. Augusta, 221 CE.Isinda, Pisidia, AE 26 mm.
Obv: ANNIAN FAVCTEINAN, Dr. bust of Faustina r.
Rev: Confronted heads of Serapis and Isis, in field, E-Delta (yr. 4 ).
Ex Lindgren I, ex von Aulock, Pisidia I 833 (Plate coin, the only example known).
3 comments09/08/13 at 15:45Blindado: What a fantastic find!
TitusProv.jpg
1ax Titus79-81

AE, Ankyra, Galatia
Laureate head, right AY KAICAP TITOC CEBASTO. . .
Man standing, left, SEBASTHNWN TEKTOSAGWN

RPC 1620

By Suetonius' account: Titus, surnamed Vespasianus like his father, possessed such an aptitude, by nature, nurture, or good fortune, for winning affection that he was loved and adored by all the world as Emperor. . . . He was born on the 30th of December AD41, the very year of Caligula’s assassination, in a little dingy room of a humble dwelling, near the Septizonium. . . .

He was handsome, graceful, and dignified, and of exceptional strength, though of no great height and rather full-bellied. He had an extraordinary memory, and an aptitude for virtually all the arts of war and peace, being a fine horseman, skilled in the use of weapons, yet penning impromptu verses in Greek and Latin with equal readiness and facility. He had a grasp of music too, singing well and playing the harp pleasantly and with ability. . . .

As military tribune in Germany (c57-59AD) and Britain (c60-62), he won an excellent reputation for energy and integrity, as is shown by the large number of inscribed statues and busts of him found in both countries. . . . When his quaestorship ended, he commanded one of his father’s legions in Judaea, capturing the strongholds of Tarichaeae and Gamala (67AD). His horse was killed under him in battle, but he mounted that of a comrade who fell fighting at his side. . . . [Upon] Vespasian’s accession, his father left him to complete the conquest of Judaea, and in the final assault on Jerusalem (70AD) Titus killed twelve of the defenders with as many arrows. . . .

From then on, he acted as his father’s colleague and even protector. He shared in his Judaean triumph (of AD 71), the censorship (AD 73), the exercise of tribunicial power, and in seven of his consulships (AD 70, 72, 74-77, 79). . . .

He died at the same villa as his father, Vespasian, on the 13th of September AD81, at the age of forty-one, after a reign of two years, two months, and twenty days. The people mourned his loss as if he were a member of their own family.
2 commentsBlindado01/20/07 at 09:17Blindado: Thank you, Arminius!
 
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