Keep in mind the first three points are the ideas that lead me to reconsider this coin and are valid only as guidepost to my conclusion. (i.e. the three points might be wrong but I believe my conclusion correct)
The
denarius of A. Plautius depicting
Cybele on the
obverse and a supplicant Bacchius on the
reverse is most commonly connected to the defeat of
Aristobulus II however to make the connection many assumptions regarding Platius and “
Rome’s” confusion of the
Jewish God are required. Some points which seem inconsistent:
---If the coin is propaganda promoting Plautius’s past exploits the confusion between YHWH and
Bacchus is not impossible but less likely since Plautius would have
had first hand knowledge of the
Jewish Religion through direct contact.
---The
reverse is a supplicant kneeling and offering an Olive branch. This is not a symbol of a conquered King but, like
Aretas on Scaurus’s
denarius, one which has come to terms (or wishes to come to terms) with
Rome. Aristobulus was defeated and captured in armed conflict; a very different outcome from
Aretas whom was defeated but continued to rule. Aristobulus’s defeat warranted a
trophy image not an olive branch.
---The desire to name Bacchius seems to be driven by comparisons to Scaurus’
Rex Aretas denarius produced a few years earlier. If we are to use the similarity we should consider the whole coin. The
Rex Aretas Obverse and
Reverse images support each other in promoting a
victory. A triumphant looking
Jupiter in a
quadriga,
scorpion under foot, in juxtaposition to the Kneeling
Aretas; It “feels” like
victory. The Plautius coin’s images “feel” unconnected between the
obverse and
reverse in terms of a king
defeated in armed conflict. Although the kneeling figures are similar, a turreted
Cybele is a very different symbol than
Jupiter in a
quadriga. You can argue the Turreted
Cybele is a symbol of war but it is more a symbol of strength rather than
victory.
As you have guessed I reject Aristobulus as Bacchius. In fact I reject any individual as Bacchius and suggest a different interpretation.
In the
Mythology of
Bacchus,
Cybele plays a very important role.
Hera inflicted
Bacchus with madness;
Cybele cured
Bacchus of the madness and set him upon the right path.
I’ll suggest that the A. Plautus coin is an allegorical message and Bacchius is a not a
Jewish King but rather all of
Judaea. Consider the turreted
Cybele representing
Rome and the kneeling Bacchius Ivdaevs, cured of
his madness and offering
peace, as the representation of
Judaea at the end of the civil war. Together the
obverse and
reverse become an allegorical political message touting the right beliefs of
Rome, which made
Rome strong, bringing an end to the madness afflicting the
Judean.
The
Roman generation holding this coin was acutely aware of
Rome’s hard won dominance over the eastern Mediterranean, the acceptance of
Cybele starting around 205BCE and the restrictions place on the
bacchanalia.
Rome might have been feeling (culturally) a little moral superiority over other cultures in this period (my opinion). If you wish to promote the glory of
Rome, it’s beliefs and strengths, and connect that glory to your name, this
type of allegorical story is a wonderful self promoting message. I believe the allegory plays even stronger if the coin is in support of the Megalesian games in
Rome celebrating
Cybele.
The idea of Aristobulus being Bacchius takes a lot of effort to justify why the name Bacchius was used in place of Aristobulus; this version of an allegory between Cybele/Bacchus and Rome/Judaea requires no such justification although it does requires possessing the right sensibility and perception of a
Roman citizen, not always an easy task and I may have it wrong.
It is only a suggestion, born over cigars and scotch, so have at it…. What do you think- Aristobulus or Allegory?
