---------- What I Like About Ancient Coins ---------- |
Sign LanguageOf Roman Coins |
Roman coins used many different types of reverse over the half-millennium lifetime of the Empire. There were even more during the earlier Rebublican and Imperatorial periods. These designs were usually propaganda, either directly or indirectly. That is, they made a point or displayed a message that the current Emperor wanted to put across.
These designs were full of symbolism. Images say more than words, especially across a wide empire with many different native languages and much illiteracy. I certainly can't say that I understand it all, but I am starting to get the idea.
--------------------------------- Gods and Goddesses --------------------------------- |
These were some of the Romans' major deities.
--------------------------------- Minor Deities, Virtues and Personifications --------------------------------- |
These are strong images and ideas that did not have major godly status.
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Salus and her snake. | ||
Aeternitas, the personification of eternity. | ||
Bonus Eventus, the personification of a good outcome. | ||
Concordia, the personification of concord and harmony. They hope! |
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Spes, the personification of hope. | ||
Romulus and Remus, Founders of Rome. And some other Roman twins. |
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The Horn of Plenty or The Cornucopia of Abundance. |
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Virtus and Her Parazonium. | ||
Happiness, Cheerfulness and Joy. | ||
Chaste Modesty. | ||
Fides: Loyalty and Trust. | ||
Pietas — Their Pious Duty. | ||
Nobilitas — Their Illustrious Ancestry. | ||
The Blessed Moon — Luna and Selene. |
--------------------------------- Crossing Categories --------------------------------- |
Symbolism that worked in many contexts.
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Ceres and Annona, and the corn supply to Rome. | ||
Galleys — Safe Journeys and Sea Power. | ||
Happy Families Children on Roman coins. |
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Earthquake Weather. Coins that followed quakes. |
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Branches Everywhere. A page about people wielding foliage. |
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Boys riding goats. A subject which I, for one, find unusual. |
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Leaning on that Handy Column. A page about people leaning on many things. |
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Heads in Hands. Here I stand, head in hand ... |
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