Jupiter Defender

[mix_val]

Here are two coins from my collection

Obverse: IMPALEXAN_DERPIUSAVG
Bust laureate right, draped and cuirassed, front view
Reverse: IOVIS_PROPUGNATOR SC left and right in field
Jupiter naked except for cloak over left arm and shoulder, standing front, body turned left, right knee bent, head turned back right, upraised thunderbolt in right hand.
BMC 799-800, RIC 634
Weight, 17.13g; die axis, 12h.


Obverse: IMPALEXAN_DERPIUSAVG
Bust laureate right, draped and cuirassed, front view
Reverse: IOVIPRO_PUGNATORI SC left and right in field
Jupiter naked except for cloak over left arm and shoulder, standing front, body turned left, right knee bent, head turned back right, upraised thunderbolt in right hand.
BMC 794, RIC 628
Weight, 14.97g; die axis, 12h.


The Iovis Propugnator reverse appears only on Denarius and Sestertius denominations and is relatively scarce compared to the Iovi Propugnatori reverse; the Sestertius in particular, as this is the only example that I've seen.   These coins were minted during the time of the Persian campaigns 231 A.D. and invoke Jupiter to protect the emperor but why the difference in spelling?

[curtislclay]

IOVIS PROPVGNATOR is the nominative case: "Here's Jupiter the Attacker".

IOVI PROPVGNATORI is dative: "(Dedicated to, in honor of) Jupiter the Attacker".

The nominative case was used first, then the mint decided to switch to the dative case; there is no real difference in the significance.

[mix_val]

Thanks Curtis.  I thought that it was something simple like this.  I did take Latin in high school but it's long forgotten.  I did a web search and found that the Wiktionary definition of Propugnatoris is Champion or Defender and that it is derived from Propugno (to fight or contend for).  My copy of Coins of the Roman Empire gives the Defender translation so I used it here.  Makes one wonder what the definition of propugnatoris the Romans really used. 

[silvernut]

An educated guess: knowing very little (if any) Latin, I do know that "pugna" in Spanish means 'fight'. Thus "Pro pugna" I would think means something like 'in favour of fight'. I would consider this closer to 'attacker' than to 'defender', but as I say, this is just my guess.

Regards,
Ignasi

[slokind]

It means 'fighter on behalf of', whether its Jupiter or Mars.  It always reminds me of that argument in the Bible about whose god, fighting on one's behalf, will prevail, will make the fire burn bright on the altar, the Hebrews' god or their adversary's god.  Yahweh, in this context, is the Hebrews' propugnator, the efficacious deity on their side.
(You go use the concordance; I only am talking about the idea of propugnator)
Pat L.
For Sev Alex, I must say his sestertii are beautiful.

[Jochen]

Looking at my Stowasser I find 'propugnator = defender, protector'. Nothing of attacker. What should I believe?

Best regards

[curtislclay]

Believe your dictionary, as a rule!

I derived my translation from the historical fact that this type was struck at the time Alexander was leading an expedition to ATTACK Persia, and from the rather aggressive pose of Jupiter in the type!

[silvernut]

I have to correct myself now that I have the Real Academia de la Lengua dictionary with me... 'Propugnar', in Spanish, means to defend, to protect. As Mr Clay says, always trust your dictionaries!

Regards,
Ignasi

[slokind]

pugn.ator            V      1 1 FUT  PASSIVE IMP 2 S   
pugn.ator            V      1 1 FUT  PASSIVE IMP 3 S   
pugno, pugnare, pugnavi, pugnatus  V   [XWXAX] 
fight; dispute; [pugnatum est => the battle raged];
pugnator             N      3 1 NOM S M                 
pugnator             N      3 1 VOC S M                 
pugnator, pugnatoris  N    M   [XWXCX] 
fighter, combatant;

pro                  PREP   ABL                         
pro  PREP  ABL   [XXXAX] 
on behalf of; before; in front/instead of; for; about; according to; as, like;

And if the legend says DEFENSOR, it makes no difference?
defens.or            V      1 1 PRES PASSIVE IND 1 S   
defenso, defensare, defensavi, defensatus  V    TRANS   [XXXCO] 
defend/guard/protect against; act in defense against; ward off; avert constantl
defensor             N      3 1 NOM S M                 
defensor             N      3 1 VOC S M                 
defensor, defensoris  N    M   [XXXBO] 
defender/protector; supporter/champion/apologist; defendant; defense advocate

Since the two epithets go with two figure types, much likelier that it does make some difference.  Besides, this Jupiter is very active, not just stalwart.
Pat L.