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Image search results - "Carrhae"
AUGUSTUS_Cistophorus_Pergamum.JPG
AUGUSTUS. AR Cistophorus (3 denarii) of Pergamum. Struck c.19 - 18 B.C.Obverse: IMP IX TR PO V. Bare head of Augustus facing right.
Reverse: Triumphal arch surmounted by Augustus in facing triumphal quadriga; IMP IX TR POT V on architrave; S P R SIGNIS RECEPTIS in three lines within arch opening, standards at either side.
RIC I : 510 | BMC : 703 | RSC : 298.

This coin commemorates Augustus' triumphant agreement with the Parthians in 20 B.C. under which they returned the legionary standards captured from Crassus who was defeated and killed at Carrhae thirty-three years earlier (53 B.C.) Augustus installed these standards in the Temple of Mars Ultor.
The reverse of the coin shows the triumphal arch which was awarded to Augustus on the occasion of his recovery of the standards. This was the second triumphal arch awarded to Augustus and, like the earlier arch which had been constructed in 29 BC to honour his victory over Cleopatra, this second arch, which archaeological evidence suggests may actually have incorporated the first arch, stood in close proximity to the Temple of Divus Julius at the southern entrance to the Roman Forum.

This is the rarest cistophorus struck during the reign of Augustus with the exception of the exceedingly rare issues featuring a sphinx.
6 comments*Alex
commodus_crescent.jpg
(0177) COMMODUS -- MESOPOTAMIA, CARRHAE177 - 192 AD
AE 22 mm 6.64 g
O: AVT K MANTWK[?]OCCEE (legend counterclockwise)
Commodus, Bust R
R: AVPHΛIΩN KAPPHN ΦIΛΩPΩM [AIΩN…]
Crescent, fillets tied in bows below
(no longer in collection)
UNRECORDED
laney
caracalla_tyche_carrhae_res.jpg
(0198) CARACALLA98-217 AD
AE 14.5 mm; 2.90 g
O: Laureate head of Caracalla right
R: Turreted and veiled bust of Tyche right
Mesopotamia, Carrhae
laney
carac_tycheb.jpg
(0198) CARACALLA198-217 AD
AE 17.5 mm, 8.34 g
O: Laureate head of Caracalla right
R: Turreted and veiled head of Tyche right
Mesopotamia, probably Carrhae
laney
carh_cara_geta_b_res.jpg
(0198) CARACALLA AND GETAca. 208 - 211 AD
AE 18.7mm, 4.45 g
O: confronted busts of laureate, draped, cuirassed Caracalla, on left: and bare-headed, draped Geta, on right.
R: star of eight rays within crescent, legend around crescent
Mesopotamia, Carrhae mint; cf. BMC p. 87, 45-8; SNG Cop -; Weber -; McClean -; very rare
laney
gordian_tyche_res3.jpg
(0238) GORDIAN III238 - 244 AD
AE 27 mm, 14.94 g
O: AYTOK K M ANT GOPDIANOC CEB. Laureate and draped bust, right.
R: MHT KOL KAPPHNWN. Turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche, left, with small figure (perhaps Aquarius or Apollo-Nebo) on a base or pedestal before her.
Mesopotamia, Carrhae cf. SNG Hunterian 2499; SNG Cop. 187; BMC 55-6.
laney
Augustus_RIC_I_86a.jpg
02 Augusts RIC I 86aAugustus. 27 B.C.-14 A.D.. Colonia Patricia Mint. 19 B.C. (3.13g, 18.4mm, 2h). Obv: CAESAR AVGSTVS, bare head right. Rev: SIGNIS RECEPTIS, Aquila on l. and standard on r. flanking SPQR arranged around shield inscribed CL V. RIC I 86a, BMC 417, RSC 265.

An important historical type commemorating the return of the legionary eagles lost by Crassus to the Parthians in the battle of Carrhae in 53 B.C. This example has wonderful toning, is perfectly centered, and retains complete legends, even the CL V on the shield is preserved better than the photograph shows.
3 commentsLucas H
Augustus_RIC_288.jpg
02 Augustus RIC 288Augusts 27 B.C.- 14 A.D. AR Denarius. Rome mint, 19 B.C. P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. (3.65g, 18.2m, 0h). Obv: TVRPILIANS IIIVIR FERON, Diad. and draped bust of Feronia r. Rev: CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE, Parthian kneeling r. presenting standard w. X marked vexillum. RIC 288, BMC 14, RSC 484.

A historical type commemorating the return of the standards lost by Crassus at the battle of Carrhae during his Parthian campaign in 53 B.C. Rome was humiliated by the defeat and loss of several Legionary Eagles. Crassus and several of his generals were killed. Through diplomacy, Augusts secured the return of the Eagles, an important victory to tout on his coinage.

I've been wanting this type for some time because of it's historic significance, but as it's outside of my primary collecting area, I was willing to compromise on condition. This example is worn, but clearly recognizable. The obverse has banker's marks which seem to disappear or become much more scarce on denarii towards the end of the Republic and beginning of the Empire.
Lucas H
augustus_RIC82a.jpg
027 BC-14 AD - AUGUSTUS AR denarius - struck 19-18 BCobv: CAESAR AVGVSTVS (bare head left, banker's mark on face)
rev: SIGNIS RECEPTIS (Mars standing left, head right, with aquila and standard)
ref: RIC I 82a, RSC 259 (4frcs), BMC 414.
mint: Colonia Patricia
3.41gms, 19mm
Rare

History: The Parthians had captured the standards of the legions under the command of Marcus Licinius Crassus (53 BC, at the Battle of Carrhae), Decidius Saxa (40 BC), and Marc Antony (36 BC). It was considered a grave moral defeat and evil omen for the Romans. It required a generation of diplomacy before the Parthians returned them. Their return was considered a great triumph by Augustus, and celebrated like a military victory. He took an ovation entering Rome on horseback and being honoured with a triumphal arch in the year 20 BC. This coin struck in Colonia Patricia (today Cordoba, Spain).
1 commentsberserker
PCrassusDenAmazon.jpg
1ab Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia. The reverse figure is sometimes described as a warrior or Gaulish horseman, but this example clearly accords with those who identify the figure as a woman! Member of the first triumvirate, 59-53 BC.

Seaby, Licinia 18

Plutarch wrote of Crassus: People were wont to say that the many virtues of Crassus were darkened by the one vice of avarice, and indeed he seemed to have no other but that; for it being the most predominant, obscured others to which he was inclined. The arguments in proof of his avarice were the vastness of his estate, and the manner of raising it; for whereas at first he was not worth above three hundred talents, yet, though in the course of his political life he dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, and feasted the people, and gave to every citizen corn enough to serve him three months, upon casting up his accounts, before he went upon his Parthian expedition, he found his possessions to amount to seven thousand one hundred talents; most of which, if we may scandal him with a truth, he got by fire and rapine, making his advantages of the public calamities. . . . Crassus, however, was very eager to be hospitable to strangers; he kept open house, and to his friends he would lend money without interest, but called it in precisely at the time; so that his kindness was often thought worse than the paying the interest would have been. His entertainments were, for the most part, plain and citizen-like, the company general and popular; good taste and kindness made them pleasanter than sumptuosity would have done. As for learning he chiefly cared for rhetoric, and what would be serviceable with large numbers; he became one of the best speakers at Rome, and by his pains and industry outdid the best natural orators. . . . Besides, the people were pleased with his courteous and unpretending salutations and greetings, for he never met any citizen however humble and low, but he returned him his salute by name. He was looked upon as a man well-read in history, and pretty well versed in Aristotle's philosophy. . . . Crassus was killed by a Parthian, called Pomaxathres; others say by a different man, and that Pomaxathres only cut off his head and right hand after he had fallen. But this is conjecture rather than certain knowledge, for those that were by had not leisure to observe particulars. . . .
2 commentsBlindado
PCrassusDenAmazon~0.jpg
1ab Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

Seaby, Licinia 18

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia, which led to its destruction. My synthesis of reviewing 90 examples of this issue revealed a female warrior wearing a soft felt Scythian cap with ear flaps; a fabric garment with a decorated skirt to the knees; probably trousers; an ornate war belt; a baldric; a cape, animal skin, or shoulder cord on attached to the left shoulder; and decorated calf-high boots. She matches the historically confirmed garb of the real amazons—Scythian horsewomen—and of course holds her steed. The horse’s tack is consistent with archeological discoveries of tack in use by Scythians and Romans.

Adrienne Mayor writes that amazon imagery on Greek vases suddenly appeared in 575-550 BC, initially depicting them in Greek-style armor. By the end of the century, as the Greeks learned more through direct and indirect contact with Scythians, they began to appear wearing archeologically confirmed Scythian-Sarmatian-Thracian patterned attire. (Adrienne Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2014, 199-200). To this, artists added their own creative ideas regarding colors, fabric patterns, and decorations. “They dressed the warrior women in body-hugging ‘unitards’ or tunics, short chitons or belted dresses, sometimes over leggings or trousers. . . . In paintings and sculpture, pointed or soft Scythian caps with earflaps or ties (kidaris) soon replaced the Greek helmets, and the women wear a variety of belts, baldrics (diagonal straps), corselets, shoulder cords or bands, and crisscrossing leather straps attached to belt loops like those worn by the archer huntress Artemis. . . . Amazon footgear included soft leather moccasin-like shoes, calf-high boots (endromides), or taller laced boots (embades) with scallops or flaps and lined with felt or fur.” (Mayor, 202)

The artists apparently had detailed knowledge of gear used by real Scythian horsewomen to equip their imagined Amazons. “Archeological discoveries of well-preserved sets of clothing confirm that real horsewomen of ancient Scythian lands dressed much as did those described in Greek texts and illustrated in Scythian and Greek artwork.” (Mayor, 203)
1 commentsBlindado
PCrassusDenAmazon2.jpg
1ab_2 Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

Seaby, Licinia 18

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia. My synthesis of reviewing 90 examples of this issue revealed a female warrior wearing a soft felt Scythian cap with ear flaps (visible in this example); a fabric garment with a decorated skirt to the knees; probably trousers; an ornate war belt; a baldric; a cape, animal skin, or shoulder cord on attached to the left shoulder; and decorated calf-high boots. She matches the historically confirmed garb of the real amazons—Scythian horsewomen—and of course holds her steed. The horse’s tack is consistent with archeological discoveries of tack in use by Scythians and Romans.

Adrienne Mayor writes that amazon imagery on Greek vases suddenly appeared in 575-550 BC, initially depicting them in Greek-style armor. By the end of the century, as the Greeks learned more through direct and indirect contact with Scythians, they began to appear wearing archeologically confirmed Scythian-Sarmatian-Thracian patterned attire. (Adrienne Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2014, 199-200). To this, artists added their own creative ideas regarding colors, fabric patterns, and decorations. “They dressed the warrior women in body-hugging ‘unitards’ or tunics, short chitons or belted dresses, sometimes over leggings or trousers. . . . In paintings and sculpture, pointed or soft Scythian caps with earflaps or ties (kidaris) soon replaced the Greek helmets, and the women wear a variety of belts, baldrics (diagonal straps), corselets, shoulder cords or bands, and crisscrossing leather straps attached to belt loops like those worn by the archer huntress Artemis. . . . Amazon footgear included soft leather moccasin-like shoes, calf-high boots (endromides), or taller laced boots (embades) with scallops or flaps and lined with felt or fur.” (Mayor, 202)
The artists apparently had detailed knowledge of gear used by real Scythian horsewomen to equip their imagined Amazons. “Archeological discoveries of well-preserved sets of clothing confirm that real horsewomen of ancient Scythian lands dressed much as did those described in Greek texts and illustrated in Scythian and Greek artwork.” (Mayor, 203)

Plutarch wrote of Crassus: People were wont to say that the many virtues of Crassus were darkened by the one vice of avarice, and indeed he seemed to have no other but that; for it being the most predominant, obscured others to which he was inclined. The arguments in proof of his avarice were the vastness of his estate, and the manner of raising it; for whereas at first he was not worth above three hundred talents, yet, though in the course of his political life he dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, and feasted the people, and gave to every citizen corn enough to serve him three months, upon casting up his accounts, before he went upon his Parthian expedition, he found his possessions to amount to seven thousand one hundred talents; most of which, if we may scandal him with a truth, he got by fire and rapine, making his advantages of the public calamities. . . . Crassus, however, was very eager to be hospitable to strangers; he kept open house, and to his friends he would lend money without interest, but called it in precisely at the time; so that his kindness was often thought worse than the paying the interest would have been. His entertainments were, for the most part, plain and citizen-like, the company general and popular; good taste and kindness made them pleasanter than sumptuosity would have done. As for learning he chiefly cared for rhetoric, and what would be serviceable with large numbers; he became one of the best speakers at Rome, and by his pains and industry outdid the best natural orators. . . . Besides, the people were pleased with his courteous and unpretending salutations and greetings, for he never met any citizen however humble and low, but he returned him his salute by name. He was looked upon as a man well-read in history, and pretty well versed in Aristotle's philosophy. . . . Crassus was killed by a Parthian, called Pomaxathres; others say by a different man, and that Pomaxathres only cut off his head and right hand after he had fallen. But this is conjecture rather than certain knowledge, for those that were by had not leisure to observe particulars. . . .
1 commentsBlindado
PCrassusDenAmazon2~1.jpg
1ab_2 Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

Seaby, Licinia 18

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia, which led to its destruction. My synthesis of reviewing 90 examples of this issue revealed a female warrior wearing a soft felt Scythian cap with ear flaps (visible in this example); a fabric garment with a decorated skirt to the knees; probably trousers; an ornate war belt; a baldric; a cape, animal skin, or shoulder cord on attached to the left shoulder; and decorated calf-high boots. She matches the historically confirmed garb of the real amazons—Scythian horsewomen—and of course holds her steed. The horse’s tack is consistent with archeological discoveries of tack in use by Scythians and Romans.

Adrienne Mayor writes that amazon imagery on Greek vases suddenly appeared in 575-550 BC, initially depicting them in Greek-style armor. By the end of the century, as the Greeks learned more through direct and indirect contact with Scythians, they began to appear wearing archeologically confirmed Scythian-Sarmatian-Thracian patterned attire. (Adrienne Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2014, 199-200). To this, artists added their own creative ideas regarding colors, fabric patterns, and decorations. “They dressed the warrior women in body-hugging ‘unitards’ or tunics, short chitons or belted dresses, sometimes over leggings or trousers. . . . In paintings and sculpture, pointed or soft Scythian caps with earflaps or ties (kidaris) soon replaced the Greek helmets, and the women wear a variety of belts, baldrics (diagonal straps), corselets, shoulder cords or bands, and crisscrossing leather straps attached to belt loops like those worn by the archer huntress Artemis. . . . Amazon footgear included soft leather moccasin-like shoes, calf-high boots (endromides), or taller laced boots (embades) with scallops or flaps and lined with felt or fur.” (Mayor, 202)

The artists apparently had detailed knowledge of gear used by real Scythian horsewomen to equip their imagined Amazons. “Archeological discoveries of well-preserved sets of clothing confirm that real horsewomen of ancient Scythian lands dressed much as did those described in Greek texts and illustrated in Scythian and Greek artwork.” (Mayor, 203)
2 commentsBlindado
CaracallaDenMars.jpg
1bu Caracalla198-217

Denarius

Laureate head, right, ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT
Mars, MARTI PROPVGNATORI

RIC 223

The Historia Augusta, in the life of Severus, records: As he was advancing against Albinus, moreover, and had reached Viminacium 4 on his march, he gave his elder son Bassianus the name Aurelius Antoninus 5 and the title of Caesar, in order to destroy whatever hopes of succeeding to the throne his brother Geta had conceived. His reason for giving his son the name Antoninus was that he had dreamed that an Antoninus would succeed him. It was because of this dream, some believe, that Geta also was called Antoninus, in order that he too might succeed to the throne. . . . [After defeating Niger], he bestowed the. toga virilis on his younger son, Geta, and he united his elder son in marriage with Plautianus' daughter [Plautilla]. . . . Soon thereafter he appointed his sons to the consulship ; also he greatly honored his brother Geta. . . . Severus [in 198] invaded Parthia, defeated the king, and came to Ctesiphon; and about the beginning of the winter season he took the city. For this feat, likewise, the soldiers declared his son, Bassianus Antoninus, co-emperor; he had already been named Caesar and was now in his thirteenth year. And to Geta, his younger son, they gave the name Caesar. . . .

In the life of Caracalla, the history continues: He himself in his boyhood was winsome and clever, respectful to his parents and courteous to his parents' friends, beloved by the people, popular with the senate, and well able to further his own interests in winning affection. Never did he seem backward in letters or slow in deeds of kindness, never niggardly in largess or tardy in forgiving at least while under his parents. . . . All this, however, was in his boyhood. For when
he passed beyond the age of a boy, either by his father's advice or through a natural cunning, or because he thought that he must imitate Alexander of Macedonia,he became more reserved and stern and even somewhat savage in expression. . . .

After his father's death he went to the Praetorian Camp and complained there to the soldiers that his brother was forming a conspiracy against him. And so he had his brother slain in the Palace. . . . After this he committed many further murders in the city, causing many persons far and wide to be seized by soldier sand killed, as though he were punishing a rebellion. . . . After doing all this he set out for Gaul and immediately upon his arrival there killed the proconsul of Narbonensis. . . . Then he made ready for a journey to the Orient, but interrupted his march and stopped in Dacia. . . . Then he journeyed through Thrace accompanied by the prefect of the guard. . . . After this, turning to the war with the Armenians and Parthians, he appointed as military commander a man whose character resembled his own. . . . Then he betook himself to Alexandria. . . . [H]e issued an order to his soldiers to slay their hosts and thus caused great slaughter at Alexandria. . . . Next he advanced through the lands of the Cadusii and the Babylonians and waged a guerilla-warfare with the Parthian satraps, in which wild beasts were even let loose against the enemy. He then sent a letter to the senate as though he had won a real victory and thereupon was given the name Parthicus. . . .

After this he wintered at Edessa with the intention of renewing the war against the Parthians. During this time, on the eighth day before the Ides of April, the feast of the Megalensia and his own birthday, while on a journey to Carrhae to do honor to the god Lunus, he stepped aside to satisfy the needs of nature and was thereupon assassinated by the treachery of Macrinus the prefect of the guard, who after his death seized the imperial power.
1 commentsBlindado
RIC_0264b.jpg
202. CARACALLACARACALLA. 198-217 AD.

The emperor visited Alexandria for intellectual and religious reasons, staying at the Serapeum and being present at the temple's sacrifices and cultural events. Earlier, during the German war, the emperor visited the shrine of the Celtic healing-god Grannus. Caracalla also visited the famous temple of Asclepius in Pergamum and fully participated in its program, which involved sleeping inside the temple compound and having his dreams interpreted.

It was this religious devotion that led to Caracalla's murder in 217. Although suspicious of the praetorian prefect Macrinus, Caracalla allowed himself to be accompanied by only a small, select corps of bodyguards on an early spring trip from the camp at Edessa to the temple of the moon-god at Carrhae, about 25 miles away. During the journey back on 8 April 217, Caracalla was killed. The returning guards claimed the emperor was ambushed while defecating, and that the alleged assassin was one of their own, a soldier named Martialis. Martialis was himself killed by the avenging guards, or so the story went. Suspicion was strong that Macrinus arranged the entire affair.

Caracalla's violent end seemed appropriate for an emperor who, early in his reign, had his own brother killed. Yet the moralizing about fratricide by both ancient and modern historians obscures the energetic, reformist and even intellectual character of Caracalla's reign. Some of the reforms, especially the pay raise for soldiers, would prove burdensome for future emperors, but the changes brought about in the little more than five years of Caracalla's sole rule would have long-lasting implications throughout the empire for generations to come.

AR Denarius (19mm, 3.11 gm). Struck 215 AD. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right / P M TR P XVIII COS IIII PP, Sol standing left, radiate, raising right hand and holding globe. RIC IV 264a; BMCRE 139; RSC 288. EF
Ex - CNG
2 commentsecoli
coins91.JPG
202. Caracalla; Carrhae, MesopotamiaCaracalla AE18 of Carrhae, Mesopotamia, M AVR ANTONINVS P F AVG, laureate head right / COL MET ANTO NINIANA AVR ALEX, veiled and turretted bust of city goddess right. BMC16.
ecoli
Seleukid_Kingdom,_Antiochos_I,_280_-_261_B_C_.JPG
Antiochos I, Macedonian shield/ Elephant; AE 18Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos I, 280 - 261 B.C. Mesopotamia, Carrhae mint, 18mm, 4.08g. Obverse: Macedonian shield decorated with gorgon's head. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOΥ in ex, elephant walking right. Attribution: cf. SNG Spaer 257. Ex areich; photo credit areich
Podiceps
AUGUSTUS_ARCH_Cistophorus.JPG
ARCH, AUGUSTUS, RIC I : 510.AR Cistophorus (Cistophoric Tetradrachm = 3 denarii) of Pergamum. Struck 19 - 18 B.C.
Obverse: IMP•IX•TR•PO•V. Bare head of Augustus facing right.
Reverse: Triumphal arch surmounted by Augustus in facing triumphal quadriga; IMP IX TR POT V on architrave; S P R SIGNIS RECEPTIS in three lines within arch opening, standards at either side.
Diameter: 24 - 25mm | Weight: 11.7gms | Die Axis: 12
RIC I : 510 | BMC : 703 | RSC : 298

This coin commemorates Augustus' triumphant agreement with the Parthians in 20 B.C. under which they returned the legionary standards captured from Crassus who was defeated and killed at Carrhae thirty-three years earlier (53 B.C.). Augustus installed these standards in the Temple of Mars Ultor.
The reverse of the coin shows the triumphal arch which was awarded to Augustus on the occasion of his recovery of the standards. This was the second triumphal arch awarded to Augustus and, like the earlier arch which had been constructed in 29 BC to honour his victory over Cleopatra, this second arch, which archaeological evidence suggests may actually have incorporated the first arch, stood in close proximity to the Temple of Divus Julius at the southern entrance to the Roman Forum.
2 comments*Alex
Augustus_RIC_86a.jpg
Augustus - [RIC 86a, BMC 41, CBN 1132, Cohen 19]Silver denarius, 3.13g, 18.44mm, 90 degree, Colonia Patricia mint, 19 B.C.

Obv. - CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head right

Rev. - SIGNIS RECEPTIS, Aquila on left and standard on right flanking S P Q R arranged around shield inscribed CL V

A superb piece with a particularly beautiful portrait and an attractive tone.

This famous and historically important denarius of Augustus commemorates the reconquest of the legionary eagles from the Parthians. These signa where lost, when Crassus was defeated at the battle of Carrhae and their return back to Rome was one of the greatest diplomatic successes Augustus had.

The CL V on the reverse of this issue represents the clipeus virtutis, which was - according to the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, the funerary inscription giving the achievements of Augustus - a golden shield displayed in the Curia Iulia that was given to Augustus by the Senate and the Roman people (Senatus PopulusQue Romanus) in commemoration of his virtue, piety, justice and clemency. Even though it seems to be obvious that Augustus must have been awarded the shield right after he achieved absolute power and declared the restoration of the Republic, Sydenham suggests "that there is no decisive evidence as to the exact date at which the golden shield was conferred, but the coins on which it is represented are of later date than the year BC 27". When, in 19 BC, the Parthians returned the standards they had captured from Crassus in 53, there would have been an excellent opportunity to once again recall Augustus' pietas, one of the virtues recorded on the clipeus.
___________

Purchased from VCoins seller Ancient Artifacts & Treasures, Inc. at the 2013 BRNA Dalton, GA coin show

Sold 25Apr2015 to Lucas Harsh Collection
2 commentsrenegade3220
augustus_86a.JPG
Augustus RIC I, 86aAugustus, 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.74g, 19mm
Colonia Patricia(?), ca. 19 BC - 18 BC
obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS
bare head r.
rev. SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS under round shield inscribed with CL.V between
eagle l. and standard r. S.P.Q.R. at the corners of the shield
RIC I, 86a; BMCR 417; RSC 265
good VF, toned

The eagle standards were introduced by Marius similar to the Ptolemaic eagle to each of his legions. This issue celebrates the recovery of the 3 eagle-standards 20 BC by Augustus, which were lost by Crassus 53 BC at the battle of Carrhae against the Parthians. The 3 eagles thereafter were erected in the new temple of Mars Ultor on the Forum of Augustus. The day of recovery was determined public holiday.
5 commentsJochen
augustus_86a~0.JPG
Augustus RIC I, 86aJochen's Augustus RIC I, 86a
Augustus, 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.74g, 19mm
Colonia Patricia(?), ca. 19 BC - 18 BC
obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS
bare head r.
rev. SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS under round shield inscribed with CL.V between
eagle l. and standard r. S.P.Q.R. at the corners of the shield
RIC I, 86a; BMCR 417; RSC 265
good VF, toned

The eagle standards were introduced by Marius similar to the Ptolemaic eagle to each of his legions. This issue celebrates the recovery of the 3 eagle-standards 20 BC by Augustus (by negotiations), which were lost by Crassus 53 BC at the battle of Carrhae against the Parthians. The 3 eagles thereafter were erected in the new temple of Mars Ultor on the Forum of Augustus. The day of recovery was determined public holiday.
11 commentsJochen
589c.jpg
bmc09Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Radiate cuirassed bust right.
Rev: …ΛIC, crescent, horns upwards, placed on base; between horns star of 8 points.
15 mm, 3.94 gms

BMC 10 variant (bust type)
Charles M
1313.jpg
bmc09_2Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...NINOC. (legend begins upper right). Radiate head right.
Rev: KAP..., crescent on globe, horns upwards, placed on base with 2 lines; between horns star of 8 points.
17 mm, 4.01 gms

BMC 10 variant (bust type, globe and 2 lines on base)
Charles M
566c.jpg
bmc10Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Radiate head right.
Rev: KAP..., crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets; between horns, star of six points.
15 mm, 2.69 gms

Lindgren II 2560
Charles M
1785__Numismatik_Naumann,_Auction_80_#3.jpg
bmc10_2Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...TⲰNƐI..., Radiate head right.
Rev: KAPKM..., crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets; between horns, star of six points.
17 mm, 2.93 gms

Lindgren II 2560
Charles M
2438.jpg
bmc11Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...AVPH ANTâ²°..., laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: …PHΛIKAPЄ.., crescent, horns upwards, placed on base; between horns star of 8 points.
21 mm, 4.42 gms

BMC 11

From Ares Numismatics Web Auction 9, lot 459.
Charles M
558c.jpg
bmc14Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANTWNεI…, radiate head right.
Rev: KAP...OM..., crescent, hrons upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet..
15 mm, 2.69 gms

BMC 14b
Charles M
563c.jpg
bmc14_2Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANTWNε…, radiate head right.
Rev: Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet..
16 mm, 3.55 gms

BMC 14b
Charles M
1018.jpg
bmc14_3Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: AVT...NεI, radiate head right.
Rev: KAPK...OΠ, Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet..
16 mm, 2.23 gms

BMC 14b
Charles M
1255c.jpg
bmc14_4Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANT..., radiate head right.
Rev: KAP..., Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet..
14 mm, 3.23 gms

BMC 14b
Charles M
1470.jpg
bmc14_varElagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...WN..., laureate head right.
Rev: KAPK-O..., Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet, palm branch (?) above pellets.
16 mm, 3.10 gms

BMC 14a variant (bust type); Lindgren 2563 variant (same)
Charles M
2058__Savoca_Coins_London,_Monthly_London_Auction_4,_lot_537.jpg
bmc14_var1Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: AV...NƐ..., radiate head right.
Rev: ...Λ...OⲰΠ..., Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet, palm branch (?) above pellets.
15 mm, 2.51 gms

BMC 14a; Lindgren 2563
Charles M
1535c.jpg
bmc14_var2Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANTWN..., laureate head right.
Rev: KA..., Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet.
15 mm, 2.12 gms

BMC 14b variant (bust type)
Charles M
2439.jpg
bmc14_var3Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANTⲰNЄI..., laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ...K...OMΠ..., Crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets and small globe below; between horns six pellets surrounding central pellet.
16 mm, 3.12 gms

BMC 14b variant (bust type)

From Ares Numismatics Web Auction 9, lot 460.
Charles M
cartet.jpg
Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.)AR Tetradrachm
Mesopotamia, Carrhae
O: AVT·K·M·A ANTONЄINOC ·C-EB · ·, laureate head of Caracalla right; two pellets beneath rear truncation.
R: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Δ, eagle standing facing on bucranium, dot to each side, wings spread, head right, wreath in beak.
28mm
17.10g
Prieur 820, Bellinger 160, SGI 2701

Ex. Agora Auctions, lot 184, Sale 81
5 commentsMat
Caracalla_Carrhae_tetra.jpg
Caracalla - CarrhaeAR tetradrachm
215-217 AD
laureate head right
AVT·K·M·A·_·ANTΩNEINOC__·C_EB·
eagle facing, head right, wreath in beak, bucranium below
·_ΔHMAPX·EΞ·_VΠA·TO·Δ_·
Prieur 820
13,8g 25mm
ex Dionysos
J. B.
Lg006GreekLarge_quad_sm~1.jpg
2369_Caracalla_and_Geta_Carrhae.jpg
Caracalla and Geta - Carrhae198-211 AD
laureate and draped bust of Caracalla right from behind; draped bust of Geta left
?
star in crescent
ΚΛωΝΕΙΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟ ΚΑΡΡ
BMC 47; Mionnet V, 29.
4,3g 17mm
ex Bucephalus
J. B.
caracalla_syrian_ar_tetra.JPG
CARACALLA Augustus billon TÉTRADRACHME SYRO-PHÉNICIEN (215 - 217).CARACALLA Augustus Augustus. Prieur820\\\\(41 ex.) - billon TÉTRADRACHME SYRO-PHÉNICIEN (215 - 217). AEF . Carrhæ. (11.53g. 26.5mm.)
ROMAN PROVINCIAL COINAGE, MESOPOTAMIA, CARRHAE MINT, AR - TETRADRACHM, CARACALLA 198-217 (13,2g - 7h)

Caracalla AR Tetradrachm of Carrhae, Mesopotamia. AD 215-217. AVT K M A ANTΩNEINOC CEB, laureate head right / ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΥΠΑΤΟ Δ, eagle standing to right with wings spread on bucranium, holding wreath in beak. Prieur 820.
1 commentsAntonivs Protti
caracalla_white.jpg
Caracalla RIC IV#224Caracalla. AD 198-217. AR Denarius (3,48g). Rome mint. Struck AD 212-213.
Ob..ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, Laureate bearded head right.
Rev..MONETA AVG, Moneta draped standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.
RIC IV 224; RSC 165.

Obverse Legend..
ANTONINVS PIVS - The Roman name he used
AVG - Augustus (Emperor).
BRIT - Britannicus (Conqueror of the Britains).
Reverse legend..
MONETA AVG - Money of the Emperor.
Note...Born in Lugdunum (Lyon), Gaul (France) on the 4th April 188AD to his father, the future Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211) and his mother Julia Domna (193-211). His birth name was Lucius Septimius Bassianus and at the age of 7 was renamed Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, but is better known by his nickname of 'Caracalla' which derived from a Gallic hooded tunic he wore probably during the Rhine and Danube campaigns. He reigned from 198 - 217, Co-ruled with his father from 198-211 and with his younger brother Geta from 209-211. His father died in early February 211 leaving Caracalla and his brother Geta to co-rule. This didn't work out well and in late December of the same year Caracalla had his brother Geta murdered...Caracalla continued to rule for another 6 years until in April 217 whilst travelling to Carrhae in modern Turkey, he was stabbed to death by an irrate soldier named Justin Martialis. This was probably incited by Macrinus who held the position of Praetorian Prefect and would become the next Emperor.


Paul R3
Caracalla_Carrhae_Tyche_AE15_2.3g.jpg
Caracalla, Carrhae, Tyche, AE15AE15, 2.3g
obv: []ANTONINVS PF(?) IMP CAES; laureate head right
rev: LI(?) ANTONINIAN COL []; turreted head of Tyche right
areich
Caracalla_Carrhae_Tyche_20mm_5.4g.jpg
Caracalla, Carrhae, Tyche, AE2020mm, 5.4g
obv: laureate head right
rev: [COL MET] ANTONINIANA AVR ALEX, turreted and veiled head of Tyche right

BMC p. 86-87, no. 38-42; SNG Cop. 184
areich
ccarOR.jpg
Caracalla, Mionnet 15 (var.)Carrhae, Mesopotamia mint, Caracalla, 197-217 A.D. AE, 17mm 3.13g, Mionnet 15 (var.)
O: AVT KAI M ANTΩNEINOC (or similar), youthful, laureate head right
R: KAP KOΛ MHTPOΠOΛ (or similar), star in crescent, globe and serpent below
1 commentscasata137ec
SevAlex Edesse 2.jpg
Carrhae (Harran, Turkey) - Severus Alexander[... AΛEΞ]ANΔP[OC...] , laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander left, holding shield
MHT. KO. KAPPHNωN ? Tyche of Carrhae seated left on rock, altar to the left, small river-god swimming at her feet.
Bronze, 23 mm

I am not sure this coin is from Carrhae : all Mesopotamian cities had the same veiled and seated Tyche (copied from the Tyche of Antioch) at the reverse of their coins.
Ginolerhino
9965.jpg
Carrhae in Mesopotamia, Septimius Severus, AE 24, Lindgren 2557Carrhae in Mesopotamia, Septimius Severus, AE 24, 193-211 AD
Av.: CEΠTIMIOC [CE]OY.... , naked (laureate?) bust of Septimius Severus right
Rv.: ..Λ]OY KAPPH ΛKA... , front view of a tetrastyle temple, the temple of the moon god Sin, in the middle a sacred stone on tripod, on top of stone: crescent, standards (with crescents on top) on both sides inside the building; another crescent in the pediment.
Lindgren 2557 ; BMC p. 82, #4

The city and the region played an important role in roman history.

Carrhae / Harran, (Akkadian Harrânu, "intersecting roads"; Latin Carrhae), an ancient city of strategic importance, an important town in northern Mesopotamia, famous for its temple of the moon god Sin, is now nothing more than a village in southeastern Turkey with an archeological site.
In the Bible it is mentioned as one of the towns where Abraham stayed on his voyage from Ur to the promised land. Abraham's family settled there when they left Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:31-32).
Inscriptions indicate that Harran existed as early as 2000 B.C. In its prime, it controlled the point where the road from Damascus joins the highway between Nineveh and Carchemish. This location gave Harran strategic value from an early date. It is frequently mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions about 1100 BC, under the name Harranu, or "Road" (Akkadian harrānu, 'road, path, journey' ).
During the fall of the Assyrian Empire, Harran became the stronghold of its lasts king, Ashur-uballit II, being besiged and conquered by Nabopolassar of Babylon at 609 BC. Harran became part of Median Empire after the fall of Assyria, and subsequently passed to the Persian Achaemenid dynasty.
The city remained Persian untill in 331 BC when the soldiers of the Macedonian king Alexander the Great entered the city.
After the death of Alexander on 11 June 323 BC, the city was claimed by his successors: Perdiccas, Antigonus Monophthalmus and Eumenes. These visited the city, but eventually, it became part of the Asian kingdom of Seleucos I (Nicator), the Seleucid empire, and capital of a province called Osrhoene (the Greek term for the old name Urhai).
The Seleucids settled Macedonian veterans at Harran. For a century-and-a-half, the town flourished, and it became independent when the Parthian dynasty of Persia occupied Babylonia. The Parthian and Seleucid kings both needed the buffer state of Osrhoene which was part of the larger Parthian empire and had nearby Edessa as its capital. The dynasty of the Arabian Abgarides, technically a vassal of the Parthian "king of kings" ruled Osrhoene for centuries.

Carrhae was the scene of a disastrous defeat of the Roman general Crassus by the Parthians. In 53 BC. Crassus, leading an army of 50.000, conducted a campaign against Parthia. After he captured a few cities on the way, he hurried to cross the Euphrates River with hopes of receiving laurels and the title of “Emperor”. But as he drove his forces over Rakkan towards Harran, Parthian cavalry besieged his forces in a pincers movement. In the ensuing battle, the Roman army was defeated and decimated. The battle of Carrhae was the beginning of a series of border wars with Parthia for many centuries. Numismatic evidence for these wars or the corresponding peace are for instance the "Signis Receptis" issues of Augustus and the “Janum Clusit” issues of Nero.
Later Lucius Verus tried to conquer Osrhoene and initially was successful. But an epidemic made an annexation impossible. However, a victory monument was erected in Ephesus, and Carrhae/Harran is shown as one of the subject towns.
Septimius Severus finally added Osrhoene to his realms in 195. The typical conic domed houses of ancient Harran can be seen on the Arch of Septimius Severus on the Forum Romanum.
Harran was the chief home of the moon-god Sin, whose temple was rebuilt by several kings. Sin was one of the great gods of the Assurian-Babylonian pantheon.
Caracalla gave Harran the status of a colonia (214 AD) and visited the city and the temple of the moon god in April 217. Meanwhile the moon god (and sacred stones) had become a part of the Roman pantheon and the temple a place to deify the roman emperors (as the standards on both sides of the temple indicate).

Caracalla was murdered while he was on his way from Temple to the palace. If this had been arranged by Macrinus - the prefect of the Praetorian guard who was to be the new emperor – is not quite clear. On the eighth of April, the emperor and his courtiers made a brief trip to the world famous temple of the moon god. When Caracalla halted to perform natural functions, he was assassinated by one of his bodyguards, Julius Martialis, who had a private grudge against the ruler, because he had not been given the post of centurion.

In 296 AD Roman control was again interrupted when nearby Carrhae the emperor Galerius was defeated by the king Narses / the Sasanid dynasty of Persia. The Roman emperor Julianus Apostata sacrificed to the moon god in 363 AD, at the beginning of his ill-fated campaign against the Sassanid Persians. The region continued to be a battle zone between the Romans and Sassanids. It remained Roman (or Byzantine) until 639, when the city finally was captured by the Muslim armies.

At that time, the cult of Sin still existed. After the arrival of the Islam, the adherents of other religions probably went to live in the marshes of the lower Tigris and Euphrates, and are still known as Mandaeans.
The ancient city walls surrounding Harran, 4 kilometer long and 3 kilometer wide, have been repaired throughout the ages (a.o. by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the sixth century), and large parts are still standing. The position of no less than 187 towers has been identified. Of the six gates (Aleppo gate, Anatolian, Arslanli, Mosul, Baghdad, and Rakka gate), only the first one has remained.

A citadel was built in the 14th century in place of the Temple of Sin. This lies in the south-west quarter of the ancient town. Its ruin can still be visited.

my ancient coin database
1 commentsArminius
Caracalla,_Carrhae,_Tyche,_AE20.JPG
Carrhae, Tyche, AE20Caracalla, Carrhae, Tyche, AE20. 20mm, 5.4g
Obverse: laureate head right. Reverse: [COL MET] ANTONINIANA AVR ALEX, turreted and veiled head of Tyche right. BMC p. 86-87, no. 38-42; SNG Cop. 184. Ex areich, photo credit areich
Podiceps
SvAlex Edesse.jpg
City of Mesopotamia - Severus Alexander[... AΛE]ΞANΔPOC C. , laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Blundered legend ? I cannot be sure this city is Nisibis, Edessa, Carrhae... Looks like it is Edessa, but the rest of the legend does not fit... Tyche seated left on rock, flaming altar to the left, river-god swimming at her feet.
1 commentsGinolerhino
DSCN6845.jpg
Commodus, Carrhae Mesopotamia 180-192 AD. AE14mmCommodus, Carrhae Mesopotamia 180-192 AD.

Obv. Laureate head left, Blundered legend codomok (Komodoc).

Rev. Crescent and star. Blundered legend

Barbaric style.
Lee S
EB0720_scaled.JPG
EB0720 Caracalla / CrescentCaracalla, CARRHAE, Mesopotamia, barbaric style AE 13.
Obverse: [AVT K M ANTWNEINOC or similar], laureate head right .
Reverse: [KOL MH..], Crescent with star within.
References: Cf. BMC 15.
Diameter: 13mm, Weight: 2.173g.
EB
Julius_Caesar.jpg
Gaius Julius CaesarFebruary-March 44 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.90 g, 5h). Rome mint. P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer. Laureate and veiled head right / Venus standing left, holding Victory and scepter; shield at base of scepter. Crawford 480/13; CRI 107d; Sydenham 1074; RSC 39. From the Jörg Müller Collection.

Alföldi arranges Crawford 480 series coins in (44 BC) month order as follows:

RRC 480/1, Buca - January
RRC 480/2, DICT QVART - early February
RRC 480/3/4/5, CAESAR IMP - late February
RRC 480/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14, DICT PERPETVO - early to mid March
RRC 480/17/18, CAESAR IMPER - late March
RRC 480/19/20, PARENS PATRIAE - April
RRC 480/15/16, MARIDIANVS - April
RRC 480/21/22, CLEMENTIAE CAESARIS and Mark Antony - April

"Iconography, historical meaning:

The rev. can be understand easily: The Iulians ascribed their gens back to Aeneas who was the son of Venus (Aphrodite) and Anchises.Venus was the tutelary goddess of the gens Iulia and hence of Caesar. 46 BC Caesar has consecrated together with his new built forum also the temple of Venus Genetrix, the ancestress of his gens. On this denarius with Victory, spear and shield it is rather Venus Victrix.

The portrait on obv. is imposing by its realistic depiction. It was for the first time that a living ruler was pictured on a Roman coin. This too raised suspicion that Caesar - even if he wasn't acclaimed king - would behave as such.

Caesar's portrait attracts attention by the wreath he is wearing. It protrudes notable wide beyond his forehead. Furthermore it is padded and very ragged. This characteristic received too little attention until now. There is every indication that it is not a usual wreath but a corona graminea, a Grass or Blockade crown. This crown was dedicated by the army to that commander who has freed them from an encirclement and saved them from certain death. The crown was composed from flowers and tuft of grass which was plucked at the location of their liberation. This crown was regarded as the highest of all crowns! Pliny (nat. 22, 6) has known only of 8 persons with this honour:
1. Lucius Siccius Dentatus, tribunus plebis 454 BC
2. Publius Decius Mus, 343 BC, 1st Samnite War, dedicated even by 2 armies!
3. Marcus Calpurnius Flamma, 258 BC, at Carmina on Sicily
4. Quintus Fabius Maximus, after the departure of the Carthaginians from Italy, 203 BC
(dedicated by the Senate and the people of Rome, possibly posthumous)
5. Scipio Aemilianus Africanus
6. Gnaeus Petreius Atinas, centurio during the war against the Cimbri
7. Lucius Cornelius Sulla, during the Allied War at Nola 89 BC
8. Quintus Sertorius, 97 BC aa military tribune in Spain under Titu Ddius.
To Caesar and Augustus the crown was dedicated by the Senate!

The veil Caesar is wearing as Pontifex Maximus for lifetime.

DICTATOR PERPETVVS

During Republican times a dictator was designated when the state was in an emergency situation. His position was always temporally limited, yes, sometimes designated only for a single task. In the beginning Caesar too was dictator limited to 1 year and had to be designated again for the next year. Already 46 BC Caesar has been nominated dictator for 10 years but the title had to be renewed each year. So we know of coins with DICT, DICT ITER (= again, for the second time), IC TER (for the third time) and DICT QVART.

Since the proclamation as king has failed the title dictator disappeared from the denarii and were replaced by IMP. But soon behind Caesar's head appeares a star, a crescent, or Victory's spear stands on a star. These celestial signs - and that was understod by all - stand for divinity and should raise Caesar high above all Romans. Incompatible with the idea of a republican constituted Rome.

The point of culmination in this series is the legend DICT PERPETVO of this coin. Now the title of dictator was no more temporally limited but was valid like his office as Pontifex Maximus for all his life and it no more was necessary to confirm the title each year. That actually was a spectacular violation of the Roman constitution! The fact that he appeared at the Lupercalia on February 15. 44 BC in the ancient robe of kings strengthened the suspicion that he was looking for the kingship. In fact he has publicly
refused the royal crown that was offered to him by Marcus Antonius, but his authority to exert power was equal a king even without bearing the title of king. That was the most hateful title of the Roman Republic.

Now he has passed a line that his republican enimies couldn't tolerate any more if they still wanted to be taken seriously. So this coin actually led to his murder by the conspirators. So "The coin that kills Caesar" is by no means an exaggeration.

The planned Parthian War:

Caesar has planned a war against the Parthians. In March 44 BC he wanted to start for a campaign to the east. His assassination inhibited this intention. In science disputed are the goals which Caesar has had in mind with his war. They are reaching from a boundary adjustment, as Mommsen suggested, to world domination like Alexander the Great, as Plutarch is writing: According to him Caesar after the submission of the Parthians would go across Hyrcania at the Caspian Sea, then round the Black Sea via the Caucasus, invade the land of the Scyths, attack Germania and would finally return to Italy through the land of the Celts. In this way he would have conquered the world known to the Ancients and his limits were only the shores of the surrounding Okeanos.

Probably Sueton who was sitting directly at the sources was more realistic. And we know of the campaigns of Marcus Antonius and Augustus who surely have known Caesar's plans and have used them for their own purposes. It's clear that Caesar doesn't want to repeat the errors of Crassus who perished at Carrhae, and has tried to avoid he Parthian cavalry units. Therefore a route through Lesser Armenia is most probable. And there was hope that the Mesopotamian cities would raise against the Parthians. Caesar had gathered an army of 16(!) legions, a huge power that alone by its mere bigness would ensure the victory. Caesar was no gambler, rather a cautious and prudential commander.The famous "veni, vidi, vici" doesn't exist longer. What he actually had in mind we don't know. It's speculative. But there is every indication that it was a reorganisation of the east. And that rather by establishing client-kingdoms than creating new Roman provinces.

Probably the conspirators were afraid of Caesar's Parthian War, because a victory, which was possible or even probable, would have strengthen Caesar's position and has made him practically invulnerable." - Jochen
4 commentsNemonater
Caracalla-Tetradrachme-CARRHAE-Preur820.jpg
II-CARACALLA -d- 007 Tetrasrachmon - PRIEUR page99 / 820Av) AVT. K. M.A.ANTΩNEINOC CEB
Laureated head right

Rv) ΔHMAPX. EΣ. VΠATO TO Δ
Eagle holding wearth in beak standing in front, turning his head right, standing on a large horned bull skull

Weight: 13,60g; Ø: 28mm; Reference: PRIEUR page:99/820;
mint: MESOPOTAMIA // CARRHAE; struck between 215A.D. - 217 A.D:
Alexander_III_stater.jpg
imitation (east Celts) - Alexander IIIAR stater
imitation of Carrhae?
3rd - 2nd century BC
head of young Herakles right, wearing lion's skin
Zeus seated left, leaning on scepter, holding eagle (goose)?; crescent left
AΛEΞANΔPOY
(ΔIP)
?
Price B 40 (Var.) - Imitation Price 3816/3820?
7,7g 21mm
ex Gitbud and Naumann
J. B.
GM_AntigonosMonophthalmos_Price3796_bg.jpg
Macedon, Antigonos I Monophthalmos Tetradrachm of Carrhae or Tarsos.Kings of Macedon. Antigonos I Monophthalmos. 320-306/5 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.04 g, 10h) of Tarsos. Struck c. 316-301 BC. As Strategos of Asia i/n/o Alexander III. Head of Herakles r., wearing lionskin headdress. / Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned l., holding eagle and sceptre. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ r., I above strut of throne, ΣΡ monogram below. VF. CNG EA 482 # 78. For the reattribution of this series from Carrhae to Tarsos, see CNG 85 #301. Price 3796 (Carrhae); SNG Cop 2 (Macedonia) #861; Berlin Münzkabinett #18253676 (same dies); BM 2002.0101.929 (same); BnF Gallica Vogüé #405; Müller (Joppe, note #86) #1469.1 commentsAnaximander
marci.jpg
Macrinus (217 - 218 A.D)Carrhae, Mesopotamia
Billon Tetradrachm
O: AYT K M OΠ CE MAKPINOC CE, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind.
R: ∆MAPX EΞ YΠATOC, eaglestanding front, wings spread, head right, between legs crescent, star in left field, two pellets (second officina?) in ex; REV LEG?.
Carrhae mint 217 - 218 A.D
25mm
13.9g
Prieur 836
2 commentsMat
mactet2.jpg
Macrinus (217 -218 A.D.)AR Tetradrachm
MESOPOTAMIA, Carrhae
O: AVT K M ΟΠ CЄ MAKPINOC CЄ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
R: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠATOC, eagle standing facing on bull's head flanked by pellets, head right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak.
12.71g
27mm
Prieur 827; Bellinger 165
2 commentsMat
Marcus_Aurelius_Drachm_RPC_9288.JPG
Marcus Aurelius Drachm RPC 9288Marcus Aurelius, silver drachm, Carrhae Mesopotamia, 164 - 169 ad, 16.58mm, 2.7g, RPC 9288
OBV: AVT K M AV RHLIOC ANTWNINOC CE, laureate head right.
REV: YPER NIKHC TWN KURIWN CE, clasped hands, caduceus and two corn-ears behind
(this reverse legend convincingly attributed to Carrhae by Babelon)
SRukke
carrhae_gordianIII_BMC57.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae, Gordian III, BMC 57Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE 28, 13.6g
obv. [AVT] KM ANT GORDIANC CEB
Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. [MHTR] KOL KARRHNWN
Bust of city-goddess (Tyche), draped, veiled and wearing mural-crown, l.; l.
before a small burning altar and a small statue of Aquarius, stg. r. on a
pedestal.
BMC 57; SNG Copenhagen 187
rare, F+

It is discussed wether the figur of the pedestalis Marsyas or Aquarius. If it is Aquarius it could be the river-god Karrha. This coin is the counterpart to the coin from Edessa!
Jochen
Gordianus_III_15.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae, Gordian III, Tyche, AquariusGordian III, (238-244)
Mesopotamia, Carrhae
Obv.: [...] K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC CEB, laureate bust right
Rev.: MHTP KOΛ [KAPPHNωN], draped bust of Tyche left, looking at a statue of Aquarius or Marsyas on short pedestal.
[KAPPHNωN from a die match]
AE, 15.09g, 28.1mm
Ref.: BMC 57
shanxi
Carrhae.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Elagabalus AE17Obv: Radiate bust right.
Rev: KAΡAKOMH, Crescent with star, pendant fillets and pellet below.
17mm and 2.8g.
ancientone
carrhae~1.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Æ16.ancientone
carrhae~0.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Caracalla Ae18Obv: M AVR ANTONINV F VA.
Laureate head right.
Rev: COI MET ANTONINIAN Δ AVG.
Veiled head of Tyche right, wearing mural crown.
ancientone
meso.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Caracalla Æ18.Obv: M AVR ANTONINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right.
Rev: Veiled and turreted bust of Tyche right.
ancientone
carrhae~2.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Caracalla. AD 198-217.Obv: AV T A..., radiate head right.
Rev: AP KOω Π, crescent with pendant fillets, above, rosette of seven pellets
ancientone
carrhae2~0.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Elagabalus Æ16.Obv: ΑΥΤ ΑΝΤⲰΝƐΙ; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus, r., seen from rear.
Rev: ΚΑΡ ΚΟΛΛ Π; star within filleted crescent set on stone on base.
RPC VI, 7866 (temporary)
ancientone
carrhae_28229.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Gordian III AE29.Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, r., seen from rear.
Rev: ΜΗΤΡ ΚΟΛ ΚΑΡΡΗΝⲰΝ, crescent and star.
ancientone
Clipboard2a.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Septimius Severus AE25Obv: Laureate bust r.
Rev: Dionysos seated on throne l.
25mm, 8.9g.
SGIC 2283
ancientone
Carrhae2.jpg
Mesopotamia, Carrhae. Severus Alexander AE24.Obv: Laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander r.
Rev: MHT KOL KAPPHNW[N] Tyche, wearing turreted crown, seated l. on rock on which her l. hand rests; below her feet, half-figure of river-god swimming l.
ancientone
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MESOPOTAMIA, Carrhae; Commodus Obverse design radiate-headed bust of Commodus (youthful) wearing cuirass and paludamentum, r.
Reverse inscription ΚΑΡ ΚΟΛ ΜΗΤΡΟΠ[ΟΛΟ?]
Reverse design crescent on globe surmounted by star; globe resting on base

RPC IV on line, 9576(temp)
ecoli
edessa_gordianIII_BMC124.jpg
Mesopotamia, Edessa, Gordian III, BMC 124Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE 30, 17.41g
obv. AVTOK KM ANT GORDIANOC CEB
Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. MHT - KOL EDECCHNWN
Bust of city-goddess (Tyche), draped, veiled and wearing mural-crown, l.; l.
before a small burning altar and a small statue of Aquarius, stg. r. on a
pedestal.
BMC 124; SNG Copenhagen 221; SNG Righetti 2604; Sear 3789
F/about VF
Because Aquarius is standing on a column it is probably a monument. Such is not known for Aquarius but for Marsyas as symbol of a Roman colony. But this is not proved for Edessa (Hill).
The Aquarius could be the river-god Skirtos, today Daysan river.

This rev. is known for Tranquillina and occurs too on coins of Carrhae.
Jochen
569c.jpg
mionnet31Elagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...NεI…, radiate head right.
Rev: KAP KO..., crescent, horns upwards, star within and small globe below.
14 mm, 2.89 gms

Mionnet 31 variant (bust type)
Charles M
562c.jpg
mionnet31_2Elagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Radiate head right.
Rev: ...TPOΠO, crescent, horns upwards, star within, no globe below.
16 mm, 2.75 gms

Mionnet 31 variant (bust type and no globe)
Charles M
619c.jpg
mionnet32Elagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Radiate draped bust right.
Rev: Crescent, horns upwards, star within.
14 mm, 2.90 gms

Mionnet 32 variant (bust type)
Charles M
1328c.jpg
mionnet32_2Elagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Laureate draped bust right.
Rev: Crescent, horns upwards, star within.
18 mm, 3.39 gms

Mionnet 32
Charles M
0_14.png
Octavian - denarius - RIC I 267, Sear 1558, Sear Imperators 422, Van Meter 29The arch depicted on this coin was erected on the forum in rememberance of the victory of Octavian over Marc Antony, at Actium, in 31 BC. This single-span arcus Actianus was replaced in 19 BC by the arcus Augusti which was built to celebrate the recovery by Augustus of the famous standards lost by Crassus to the Parthian empire at the battle of Carrhae, in 53 BC. The arcus Augusti is also depicted on coins, see RIC I 359. 2 commentsLimes
Orodes II S48.jpg
Orodes II Sellwood 48.9Drachm, 21x18mm, 4.05g.

Obverse: Bareheaded bust L, pointed beard, wearing diadem, royal wart on forehead, star L, crescent and star R, wearing torque with horse's head end.

Reverse: Archer seated R on throne, anchor-like symbol L, monogram below bow.

Blundered inscription recogniseable as:

BASILEWS BASILEWN/ARSAKOU/EUERGETOU DIKAIOU/EPIFANOUS FILELLHNOS

The letters of the inscription are only about 1mm high, which may well explain the minor blundering; some Parthian celators, especially under the later rulers, were clearly illiterate in Greek, and substituted patterns for writing, but the meaning of this one is apparent.

Orodes II was the king who destroyed Crassus and his army at Carrhae in 53 BC.
2 commentsRobert_Brenchley
GRK_Parthia_Orodes_II_Sear_7442.JPG
Parthia. Orodes II (57-38 B.C.)AR Drachm, Nisa mint, 18 mm.

Sear 7442, Sellwood Type 46_, Shore 233 var. (per dealer's attribution)

Obv: Short-bearded bust left wearing diadem and pellet-ended torque, crescent behind; wart not visible on forehead; circular border of pellets cannot be confirmed.

Rev: Beardless archer (Arsakes I) wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; _______ behind archer; NI below bow [mintmark]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription (ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ [above] ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ [to right] ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ [below] ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ [to left]) (= Of the King of Kings, Arsakes [founder of the Arsacid Dynasty] ...).

Orodes was a son of Phraates III, whom he murdered in 57 B.C., with the assistance of his brother Mithridates III. In the power struggle that ensued, Mithridates allied himself with Rome, but was captured and slain in 54 B.C. In 53 B.C., Marcus Licinius Crassus invaded Parthia in belated support of Mithridates, but was defeated at the Battle of Carrhae and killed. His severed head was presented to Orodes II during a performance of Euripides' tragedy, The Bacchae, where it was used as a prop, carried by one of the actors in the play.
Stkp
11978_11979.jpg
Provincial, Carrhae, Mesopotamia, ΔHΜAΡΧ ΕΧ ΥΠΑΤΟC TOBBI Tetradrachm
Roman Provincial: Carrie, Mesopotamia
Elagabalus
Augustus: 218 - 222AD
Issued: ?
23.15mm 13.71gr 0h
O: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ Α ΑΝΤωΝεΙΝΟC CεΒ; Laureate bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder; two dots above head.
R: ΔHΜAΡΧ ΕΧ ΥΠΑΤΟC TOB; Eagle standing facing on thunderbolt, wings spread, head right; wreath in beak.
Exergue: Δ, upper left field; ε, upper right field; (Star), below eagle.
Prieur 266
Ares Numismatics Web Auction 10, Lot 465
7/4/20 8/6/20
Nicholas Z
AUGUSTUS_Cistophorus_Pergamum~0.JPG
ROMAN EMPIRE, AUGUSTUS AR Cistophorus (3 denarii) of Pergamum. Struck 19 - 18 B.C. Obverse: IMP IX TR PO V. Bare head of Augustus facing right.
Reverse: Triumphal arch surmounted by Augustus in facing triumphal quadriga; IMP IX TR POT V on architrave; S P R SIGNIS RECEPTIS in three lines within arch opening, standards at either side.
RIC I : 510 | BMC : 703 | RSC : 298
Very Rare.

This coin commemorates Augustus' triumphant agreement with the Parthians in 20 B.C. under which they returned the legionary standards captured from Crassus who had been defeated and killed at Carrhae thirty-three years earlier (53 B.C.). Augustus installed these standards in the Temple of Mars Ultor.
The reverse of the coin shows the triumphal arch which was awarded to Augustus on the occasion of his recovery of the standards. This was the second triumphal arch awarded to Augustus and, like the earlier arch which had been constructed in 29 BC to honour his victory over Cleopatra, this second arch, which archaeological evidence suggests actually incorporated the first arch, stood in close proximity to the Temple of Divus Julius at the southern entrance to the Roman Forum.

This is the rarest cistophorus struck during the reign of Augustus with the exception of the exceedingly rare issues featuring a sphinx.
9 comments*Alex
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Roman Provincial: Caracalla as Augustus, AE17.Mesopotamia, Carrhae 198-217 A.D. 3.50g - 17.5mm, Axis 6h.

Obv: IMP CAES ANTONINVS PF AVG - Laureate head right.

Rev: COI MET ANTONINIANA A - Turreted bust of Tyche right, cornucopia to right.

Ref: BMC 38.
Provenance: Chris Scarlioli Collection.
Christian Scarlioli
PCrassusDenAmazon2~0.jpg
Roman Republic, P. Licinius Crassus AR DenariusFor Marcus Licinius Crassus, who formed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

Seaby, Licinia 18
3 commentsBlindado
Faustina_II_R637_fac.jpg
RPC - Mesopotamia, AD 161-175, Faustina II, female figureFaustina II
Imperial Mint in Mesopotamia (Carrhae or Edessa)
AR Drachm
Obv.: ΦΑVСΤΙΝΑΝ СƐΒΑСΤΗΝ, draped bust right
Rev.: VΠƐΡ ΝΙΚΗС ΡΩΜΑΙΩΝ, female figure standing left, holding globe and cornucopia
Ag, 2,80g, 16.7mm
Ref.: RPC Volume IV, № 10749 (temporary)
shanxi
animal3.jpg
SELEUCID KINGDOM - ANTIOCHUS IBronze AE 18, SNG Spaer 257var., gF, 4.938g, 18.6mm, 225o, Mesopotamia, Carrhae mint, obverse macedonian shield decorated with gorgon's head; reverse BASILEWS ANTIOCOU in ex, elephant walking right, anchor above, uncertain control-mark left.dpaul7
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Seleukid Empire: Antiochos I Soter, AE18.Syria, Carrhae 280-261 B.C. 4.69g - 18.9mm, Axis 6h.

Obv: Macedonian shield decorated with Gorgon's head.

Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOΥ - Elephant walking right, anchor above. Legend in ex.

Ref: SNG Spaer 257var.
Provenance: Ex Derek Glover. Chris Scarlioli Collection
Christian Scarlioli
152.jpg
Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Carrhae Head of Herakles r. wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated l., wreath and monogram to l., ΛY beneath throne.

SC 42.5; HGC 9, 12a (R2-3); WSM 776 dies A16/P30; Commerce ("Seleucus I") Hoard 2005 (CH 10.265) 1254 (this coin); CSE 2, 16 (AHNS 1026).
Carrhae (Karrhai) after 301 BC.

(26 mm, 17.08 g, 3h).

Roma E-Sale 3 (30 Nov. 2013), lot 290; from "a private American Collection"; ex- Holyland Numismatics (2012); ex- Commerce ("Seleucus I") Hoard 2005 (CH 10.265) #1254.

Carrhae (Karrhai) was Biblical Haran, the home of Abraham, located in southeastern Turkey a few kilometres from the modern-day village of Altınbaşak, on a tributary of the Euphrates River in northern Mesopotamia. A mint was established in the city around 315 BC under Antigonos Monopthalmos, who settled Macedonian veterans in the city. Many of these veterans joined Seleukos when he passed through the city in 311 on his way to reclaim his Babylonian Satrapy, although the city remained under Antigonid authority. After the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC, the city fell within the Seleukid Empire.
2 commentsn.igma
AUGCIST_ARCH.JPG
Struck 19 - 18 B.C. AUGUSTUS. AR Cistophorus (Cistophoric Tetradrachm = 3 denarii) of PergamumObverse: IMP•IX•TR•PO•V. Bare head of Augustus facing right.
Reverse: Triumphal arch surmounted by Augustus in facing triumphal quadriga; IMP IX TR POT V on architrave; S P R SIGNIS RECEPTIS in three lines within arch opening, standards at either side.
Diameter: 24 - 25mm | Weight: 11.7gms | Die Axis: 12
RIC I : 510 | BMC : 703 | RSC : 298
RARE

This coin commemorates Augustus' triumphant agreement with the Parthians in 20 B.C. under which they returned the legionary standards captured from Crassus who had been defeated and killed at Carrhae thirty-three years earlier (53 B.C.). Augustus installed these standards in the Temple of Mars Ultor.
The reverse of the coin shows the triumphal arch which was awarded to Augustus on the occasion of his recovery of the standards. This was the second triumphal arch awarded to Augustus and, like the earlier arch which had been constructed in 29 BC to honour his victory over Cleopatra, this second arch, which archaeological evidence suggests may actually have incorporated the first arch, stood in close proximity to the Temple of Divus Julius at the southern entrance to the Roman Forum.
This is the rarest cistophorus struck during the reign of Augustus with the exception of the exceedingly rare issues featuring a sphinx.
2 comments*Alex
1536c.jpg
xcarrElagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Radiate head right.
Rev: ...KAPΛOΛ..., crescent, horns upwards, within six pellets surrounding central pellet connected by lines to form six pointed star.
16 mm, 2.81 gms

Mionnet ---, BMC ---
Charles M
2625.jpg
xcarraElagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANTⲰNЄI..., radiate head right.
Rev: ...KOΛ..., crescent, horns upwards, within, six pellets surrounding central pellet connected by lines to form six pointed star, another pellet to right of star.
15 mm, 3.31 gms

Mionnet ---, BMC ---

From Zeus Numismatics Budget Auction 9, lot 605.
Charles M
2176c.jpg
xcarr_2Elagabalus
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: Radiate head right.
Rev: Small crescent within larger one, horns upward, circle of six dots within smaller crescent
16 mm, 3.14 gms

Mionnet ---, BMC ---
Charles M
2437.jpg
xcarr_3Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...PII ANTⲰN (N is reverse), laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear.
Rev: ...ЄKOΛⲰ..., crescent on globe, horns upwards, with pendent fillets; between horns, star of eight points.
21 mm, 6.91 gms

Mionnet ---, BMC ---

From Ares Numismatics Web Auction 9, lot 454
Charles M
2274c.jpg
xcarr_4Elagabalus or Caracalla
Carrhae, Mesopotamia

Obv: ...ANTⲰ..., radiate cuirassed(?) bust right.
Rev: KAPKOⲰΠ..., crescent, horns upwards, with pendent fillets; between horns, star of eight points, branch (?) above.
16 mm, 2.63 gms

Mionnet ---, BMC ---
Charles M
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