| Image search results - "Nile" |
Plautilla, overviewThere are five main types of portrait for Plautilla’s denarii at the Rome mint :
A - With a draped bust right, hair coiled in horizontal ridges and fastened in bun in high position. Her facial expression is juvenile
B - Hair being coiled in vertical ridges, with bun in low position. Plautilla looks here more like a young beautiful woman
C - The third bust shows a thinner face of Plautilla with hair in vertical ridges and no bun but braids covering her neck
D - The fourth type has a similar appearance with the former, but the vertical ridges disappear, hair being plastered down, still showing the right ear
E - Plautilla appears with mid long hair plastered down and covering her ears
In the mean time there are seven different reverses :
1 - CONCORDIAE AETERNAE
2 - PROPAGO IMPERI
3 - CONCORDIA AVGG
4 - CONCORDIA FELIX
5 - PIETAS AVGG
6 – DIANA LVCIFERA
Not every combination exists, but some of the above reverses can be shared by several obverse portraits. Noticeable also is an evolution of the obverse legend, being PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE (a) in 202, and becoming PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA (b) soon after
You can see the evolution of this interesting coinage in my Plautilla's gallery.
Potator II
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1285 Hadrian Sestertius Roma 129-30 AD Galley leftReference
RIC II, 706; Strack 837; C. 657; Banti 337; RIC 1285
Bust A1
Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Laureate head
Rev. FELICITATI AVG COS III P P S C in field
Galley moving left with stearman and five rowers; vexillum on prow.
23.61 gr
31 mm
12h
Ex.
Stack's Bowers Galleries January 2013 N.Y.I.N.C. lot 5210
Note.
An acrostolium is an ornamental extension of the stem post on the prow of an ancient warship. Often used as a symbol of victory or of power at sea. (numiswiki)
1st-4th Century AD:
The Ship in Imperial Rome
Realizing its importance, Augustus established the Roman navy along lines similar to that of the legions. In addition to a number of key harbors, from which ships could be deployed, he stationed several fleets (Latin classes) in key areas throughout the empire. Among these, the classis Britannica patrolled the channel between Gaul and Britannia, protecting the shipping lanes. Its strategic regional importance is commemorated in the coinage of several of the period usurpers from the area. M. Aurelius Postumus was the first to do so (lots 676-679). His bronze ship issues carry the legend LAETITIA AVG, emphasizing the source of imperial well-being resides in a strong navy. The usurper M. Aurelius Carausius, commander of the classis Britannica under Diocletian, struck coins commemorating, in part, his control of that fleet and its abilities in keeping the sea lanes open (lot 680). His short-lived successor, Allectus, continued the type (lots 681-684).
One important function of the navy was the transportation of the imperial family on state visits. From the time of Augustus, vessels were dispatched to carry the emperor between the capital and the provinces. One such instance is commemorated in a rare bronze as, struck at Patrae in AD 66/7 (lot 609). The reverse depicts the quinquereme used to carry Nero on his infamous tour of Greece. Hadrian’s extensive travels were recorded with a wide variety of ship types struck at Rome (lots 610-622), and in the East (lot 623). An inscription from Ephesus (Syll. III 3241), records that a local captain, L. Erastus, used his ship to transport the emperor while he was in that area. A coin struck at Alexandria (lot 624) is of particular importance for, in the same year as the coin was struck Antinoüs drowned as the imperial party was sailing up the Nile. Hadrian’s successors continued to travel, now to shore up border conflicts or prepare for one of the periodic wars with Persia (lots 625-627; 631-675). By the middle of the third century AD local issues, rather than those minted at the imperial capital, recorded these events, a sign that the center of power was drifting away from Rome itself.
Warships were not the exclusive vessel of the Roman navy. Providing the empire with an uninterrupted supply of grain, as well as other necessary supplies, necessitated the construction of ship for such a purpose. Unlike the warship, which required speed and strength for ramming, the merchantman (Greek nau~ stroggulh; Latin navis oneraria) was of broader beam. Many of these vessels, like the ponto or more common actuaria resembled the shape of a trireme and could be powered by both oars and sails. Since ships of this type were used to transport vital commodities such as wine and grain, they, like the large ponto, are often those shown on coins from the Black Sea (lots 655 and 664-666). The great Roman merchantman, or corbita, often seen in part on imperial issues commemorating the annona, is more familiar (lots 607-608). Powered by two large sails, it featured a rear cabin in the shape of a swan and was the true workhorse of Roman merchant vessels; its type continued well into the Byzantine period.okidoki
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1701b, Saladin, 1169-1193AYYUBID: Saladin, 1169-1193, AR dirham (2.93), al-Qahira, AH586, A-787.2, clear mint & date, double struck, some horn-silvering;VF-EF.
His name in Arabic is SALAH AD-DIN YUSUF IBN AYYUB ("Righteousness of the Faith, Joseph, Son of Job"). He was born in 1137/8 A.D. in Tikrit, Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). In wars against the Christian crusaders, he achieved a significant success with the disciplined capture of Jerusalem (Oct. 2, 1187), ending its 88-year occupation by the Franks. Unlike the notorious conquest by the Christians, who slaughtered the inhabitants of the “Holy City,” Saladin’s reconquest of Jerusalem was marked by civilized and courteous behaviour. Saladin was generous to his vanquished foes—by any measure. When he died in 1193, this man who is arguably Islam’s greatest hero was virtually penniless. After a lifetime of giving alms to the poor, his friends found that the most powerful and most generous ruler in the Muslim world had not left enough money to pay for his own grave.Cleisthenes
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4.5 Hadrian AE Denarius - NilusBronze denarius of Hadrian
travel series, Nile River
unusally good quality for fouree core. Suggested that this coin could be a test strike for a new die, or fouree that never had silver coating.
nice dark green patina.
silver version minted in 136 AD in Rome.Ecgþeow
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501. Constantine I Alexandria PosthumousAlexandria
The city passed formally under Roman jurisdiction in 80 BC, according to the will of Ptolemy Alexander but after it had been previously under Roman influence for more than a hundred years. Julius Caesar dallied with Cleopatra in Alexandria in 47 BC, saw Alexander's body (quipping 'I came to see a king, not a collection of corpses' when he was offered a view of the other royal burials) and was mobbed by the rabble. His example was followed by Marc Antony, for whose favor the city paid dearly to Octavian, who placed over it a prefect from the imperial household.
From the time of annexation onwards, Alexandria seems to have regained its old prosperity, commanding, as it did, an important granary of Rome. This fact, doubtless, was one of the chief reasons which induced Augustus to place it directly under imperial power. In AD 215 the emperor Caracalla visited the city and for some insulting satires that the inhabitants had directed at him, abruptly commanded his troops to put to death all youths capable of bearing arms. This brutal order seems to have been carried out even beyond the letter, for a general massacre ensued.
Even as its main historical importance had formerly sprung from pagan learning, now Alexandria acquired fresh importance as a centre of Christian theology and church government. There Arianism was formulated and where also Athanasius, the great opponent of both Arianism and pagan reaction, triumphed over both, establishing the Patriarch of Alexandria as a major influence in Christianity for the next two centuries.
As native influences began to reassert themselves in the Nile valley, Alexandria gradually became an alien city, more and more detached from Egypt and losing much of its commerce as the peace of the empire broke up during the 3rd century AD, followed by a fast decline in population and splendour.
In the late 4th century, persecution of pagans by Christians had reached new levels of intensity. Temples and statues were destroyed throughout the Roman empire: pagan rituals became forbidden under punishment of death, and libraries were closed. In 391, Emperor Theodosius I ordered the destruction of all pagan temples, and the Patriarch Theophilus, complied with his request. It is possible that the great Library of Alexandria and the Serapeum was destroyed about this time. The pagan mathematician and philosopher Hypathia was a prominent victim of the persecutions.
The Brucheum and Jewish quarters were desolate in the 5th century, and the central monuments, the Soma and Museum, fell into ruin. On the mainland, life seemed to have centred in the vicinity of the Serapeum and Caesareum, both which became Christian churches. The Pharos and Heptastadium quarters, however, remained populous and left intact.
veiled head only
DV CONSTANTI-NVS PT AVGG
RIC VIII Alexandria 32 C3
From uncleaned lot; one of the nicer finds.
ecoli
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5717 EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian Drachm 127-28 AD Nilus reclining on hippopotamus Reference.
Emmett 1015.12; RPC III, 5717 Dattari 7750. BMC 787, p.92; Milne 1267; Köln 992
Issue L ΔWΔƐΚΑΤΟΥ = year 12
Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ СƐΒ
laureate draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian, right, seen from behind.
Rev. L ΔWΔƐΚ(Α)
Nilus reclining left on hippopotamus, holding reed in left and cornucopia with small Genius in right hand; above ΙϚ
26.69 gr
35 mm
12h
Note Jay gt4
The Greek numeral sixteen (Iς) above Nilus refers to what was considered the ideal height of the annual Nile flood, sixteen cubits. Less could mean drought or famine. Even in modern times grand celebrations were held when the flood reached 16 cubits. In years when the flood failed to reach 16 cubits, the celebrations were canceled, and prayers and fasting were held instead. The peak flood occurred at the end of August, which explains why the Egyptian year began on 29 August.okidoki
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5768 EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian Tetradrachm 130-31 AD Hadrian-AlexandriaReference.
RPC III, 5768; Emmett 845.15; Köln 1026; Dattari 1268.
Issue L IE = year 15
Obv. AVT KAI TPAI ADPIA CEB
Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev. L-IE
Hadrian standing to left holding scepter receiving corn ears from Alexandria
12.16 gr
25 mm
12 h
Note.
Struck to commemorate the emperor’s visit to Alexandria in AD 130. It was during this visit that Hadrian’s favorite, the Bithynian youth Antinous, drowned in the Nile.
Ex CNG Auction 322, 2014okidoki
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Accessorio femminile per abito (Impero romano, II-III secolo d.C.)Accessorio femminile (II-III secolo d.C.)
AE, gr. 12,8, 48x20 mm
D/ testa di donna a sx in cornice circolare, decorazioni a dot, anello di sospensione
R/ liscio
Nota: origine incerta, probabilmente bassa Etruria. Patina verde
Provenienza: collezione Berardengo, Roma Italia (5 dicembre 2007, numero catalogo 50); ex collezione ing.Gionata Barbieri, Napoli Italia (2007); ex collezione privata, Napoli Italia (prima del 2007).paolo
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Agathokles * Lion and Club, Period II - 317-289 BC. Æ 22
Agathokles * Lion and Club, Period II * Æ 22.
Obv: Portrait head of Agathokles, hair bound with tainia, right-facing.
Rev: Male lion running right, olive branch club above.
Exergue: Γ (or ligate Γ and T)
Mint: Syracuse
Struck: 310-304 BC.
Size: 22.64 x 20.93 mm.
Weight: 8.21 grams
Die axis: Near 180°
Condition: Beautiful coin, much nicer than photo. Exquisite olive-gold patina. Well-centered and moderately forceful strike. Although the dealer addressed an "area of weak strike" on the reverse, I don't see it, unless it be the area of the exergue, though this looks more like wear to me. In all, a truly lovely coin.
Refs:*
Calciati II, S. 291, Em. 151.
Most descriptions I've seen of this coin-type, identify the obverse head as (the juvenile) Herakles. I stick with my conventional sensibilities, unable to see this beardless and 'realistic' portrait as such, but rather regard it as depicting Agathokles himself.
Ex-Harlan J. Berk.
Tiathena
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Alexandria - Bronze drachm of Antoninus PiusReverse : reciling Nile-god, crocodile beneath.Ginolerhino
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Alexandria TetradrachmBillon Tetradrachm, year 5 (101/102)
Bust of Nile on reverse
24mm, 12.84g
Milne 559; Emmett 387 (R³); Geißen 452; BMC 377klausklage
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Antonius Pius drachm, Förschner #642Alexandria mint, Antonius Pius drachm, 149-150 A.D. AE, 34mm 23.46g, Förschner #642, Dattari - , cf. 2754 (obv. diff. legend); SNG Copenhagen -, cf. 506 (year 16); Geissen 1638
O: AVTKTAIΛAΔP ANTΩNINOC CEB EVC, laureate bust r.,
R: TPICKAI, in front L, Nilus recumbent l., crowned with lotus, wears himation over lower limbs and left arm, holds cornucopiae, from which springs infant genius, offering him wreath, and in left, reed; beneath, crocodile right; above IÏ‚
* IÏ‚ (16) is the desirable height of the river Nile
casata137ec
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Caria, Aphrodisias, Gordian III, MacDonald Type 187 var. Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE 30 (2 assaria), 14.09g, 30.48mm, 165°
struck AD 238-341 (see MacDonald below)
obv. AV KM ANT - GORDIANOC (1st N reversed)
Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. AFROD. - EI[CIE]EWN
Cult statue of Aphrodite Aphrodisias in ependytes and with kalathos, stg. r. on plinthe, head flanked by
crescent and star, both hands outstretched forwards; l. beside her small priestress std. with raised hand
on sella r., r. beside her a fountain with arched cover.
ref. MacDonald Type 187 var., 0234 var., R432 var.; cf. SNGF von Aulock 2461; not in Leypold, Keckmann,
Sammlung Karl, BMC
rare, F+, some deposits of sand-patina
MacDonald: Types 187-189 are an exception to the rule that the portrait of the emperor appears only on the largest denominations of Aphrodisias. The reason is fairly obvious. The portraits of 0234-0236 are distinctly juvenile, and early in the reign of Gordian III there were no other members of the imperial family whose portraits might be put on the coins. When Gordian III married Tranquillina, her portrait appeared on this denomination, Types 190-192 Jochen
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Cilicia. Nagidos AR StaterCirca 400-385/4 BC. (24mm, 10.76 g, 11h). Casabonne Type 6; Lederer 23; SNG France 25 (same dies); SNG Levante –. Obverse: Aphrodite seated left, holding phiale, left arm around the shoulders of Eros, who stands left behind her, with his arms extended. Reverse: Dionysos standing left, holding grape bunches on vine and thyrsos; Î in exergue. Superb EF, lightly toned, a touch of die wear on obverse.
Ex CNG Inventory 93935 (c. Jan 1990-Jan 1993)
Ex CNG Electronic Auction 347, Lot 252
The prominence of Aphrodite on coins of Nagidos indicates that an important sanctuary must have existed in that ancient colony of Samos. It must be noted that there were two forms of Aphrodite in the ancient Greek pantheon (or at least in literature). The first was Aphrodite Ourania signifying the “heavenly” or “spiritual” as opposed to the more “earthly” aspect of her, better known as Aphrodite Pandemos “for all the people.” On the coins of Nagidos, she is paired with her son Eros, the god of earthly passion. The representation of the two deities together on the coins of Nagidos denotes that, even in ancient times, the Greeks already categorized the earthly, physical and carnal type of love (represented by Eros) to that of the celestial love of body and soul (Aphrodite Ourania). The subordination of Eros in the iconography of the coin, represented as a juvenile winged figure, under the guidance and protection of the goddess, tells us the superiority of the spiritual aspect of love over the physical representations of it.
Jason T
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Colossal statue of the river NileThe new wing of the Vatican Museums, Museo Pio-Clementine, is home to Colossus of the Nile the river god, identified by the sphinxes and crocodiles, is represented as a dispenser of blessings. The 16 boys are thought to be an allusion to the number of cubits the level of the Nile rises when it floods, fertilizing the region which it crosses. The reliefs on the base represent life on the banks of the river. It is a 1st century A.D. Roman work most likely based on a Hellenistic original. Jochen
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Egypt, Alexandria, Hadrian, Milne 1267Hadrian, AD 117-138
AE - drachm, 35.4mm, 26.43g
Alexandria, 129/30 (year 12)
obv. AVT KAI - TRAI ADRIA CEB
Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. Rivergod Nilus, bearded and laureate, nude to hips, leaning l., resting with l.
arm on hippopotamus, stg. r., holding cornucopiae in outstretched r. hand and
reed in l. arm
in ex. LDWDEK (= year 12)
in upper field LS
Milne 1267; Dattari 1805; Köln 993; Emmet 1015
about VF, blue-green patina
IS = 16 cubits, means the optimal level of the flood of the Nile (Curtis Clay)
Jochen
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Egypt, Alexandria; HadrianHadrian, 117-138 AD, bronze drachm of 33.8 mm, 23.41 grams. Struck at the mint of Alexandria in Egypt. Dated RY 15 (AD 130/1).
Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: Hadrian standing left, holding scepter, greeted by Alexandria, clad in elephant skin headdress, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears and kissing Hadrian’s extended hand; L IE (date) across field.
Reference: Köln 1034; Dattari (Savio) 1610; K&G 32.509
Struck to commemorate the emperor’s visit to Alexandria in AD 130. It was during this visit that Hadrian’s favorite, the Bithynian youth Antinous, drowned in the Nile.
ecoli
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Egypt, Cairo - NilometerThis octagonal pillar is the only surviving Nilometer in Cairo, tucked away in a kiosk on the island of Roda, in the middle of the Nile. When in use, the height of water in the pit measured the annual flooding of the river. In an ideal year the water would rise to the 16th of the marked divisions (each one cubit, approximately 52cm) decorating the column.
The Nilometer is an attribute of the titular river god, Nilus (equivalent to the Egyptian deity, Hapy), and often features on coin reverses depicting Nilus.
The surrounding structure is itself of architectural significance and dates to 861 CE. Which means those pointed arches set into the walls predate the European Gothic style by around 250 years – they could be the earliest pointed arches anywhere in the world.
Abu Galyon
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EGYPT, Hatshepsut Mortuary TempleLocated on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings.
Photo taken during a visit to Egypt in March 2019.cmcdon0923
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Egypt, Nome Pelusion, Hadrian, Milne 1248Hadrian, AD 117-138
AE - Dichalkon, 1,5g, 14mm
struck 126/27 (RY 11)
obv. (anepigraphic)
Laureate head r., slightly draped on l. shoulder
rev. PHL - OV LIA (RY 11)
Pomegranate
ref. Milne 1248; Dattari 6348; Köln 3419; Emmett 1321
rare, F+
Pelusion (Lat. Pelusium) was situated in the most east of the Nile Delta. It was the mouth of the Pelusian Nile River. Since the 11th century it began to silt upJochen
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Egypt, Nome Prosopites, Hadrian, Milne 1226Hadrian, AD 117-38
AE - Obol, 5.03g, 18.8mm, 330°
AD 126/127 (year 11)
obv. AVT KAI - TRAI ADRIANOC
Bust, laureate, r.
rev. PROCW - LIA (year 11)
Bust of Harpokrates, wearing nemes head-cloth and hemhem crown, r. hand before mouth
ref. Milne 1226r; Geissen 3422; Mionnet 129; Dattari 6355, cf.6354, pl.XXXV
rare, good F
The Prosopites nome was the most southern part of the old Neith district between the both main arms of the river Nile. The old capital of the whole district was Sais famous for the inscription above the temple of Isis about the unity of God and his concealment (veiling). See Schiller, The Veiled Image of Sais, but also Novalis.
Jochen
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Egypt. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius AD 138-161
Antoninus Pius ,Alexandria , Drachm 24,5 g ; [Α]VΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤⲰΝƐ[ΙΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ ƐVϹ], laureate head right / [L Η], zodiac: bust of Sarapis within inner circle of planet-gods (clockwise: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury) and outer circle of signs of zodiac anticlockwise with Aries at top.
Exceedingly rare. Extremely fine and finest known example.
"The meaning of the coin is in general that Sarapis is the master of the celestial spheres, the seven movable spheres and the sphere of fixed stars enclosing them"
The Great Sothic Cycle was a calendrical cycle based on the heliacal rising in July of the star Sirius (known to the Greeks as Sothis) and lasting approximately 1460 years. According to ancient Egyptian mythology, in a Golden Age, the beginning of the flooding of the Nile coincided exactly with the rising of Sirius, which was reckoned as the New Year. Only once every 1460 years did Sirius rise at exactly the same time. Thus, the coincidence of this along with the concurrent beginning of the flooding of the Nile gave the event major cosmological significance by heralding not just the beginning of a new year, but the beginning of a new eon. This event also was thought to herald the appearance of the phoenix, a mythological bird which was reborn every 500 to 1000 years out of its own ashes. According to one version of the myth, each new phoenix embalmed its old ashes in an egg of myrrh, which it then deposited in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis. So important was the advent of the new Great Sothic Cycle, both to the realignment of the heavens and its signaling of the annual flooding of the Nile, that the Egyptians celebrated it in a five-day festival, which emphasized the important cosmological significance.
In the third year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 139/40), a new Great Sothic Cycle began. To mark this event, the mint of Alexandria struck an extensive series of coinage, especially in large bronze drachms, each related in some astrological way to the reordering of the heavens during the advent of the new Great Sothic Cycle. This celebration would continue throughout Pius’ reign, with an immense output of coinage during the eighth year of his reign in Egypt, which included this coin type, part of the Zodiac series.
Private collection of Mr. B. MazehBrahim M
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Emmett 1621 - Antoninus Pius - AE Drachm Alexandria - Nilus Antoninus Pius 145-146 AD
OBV: AVT KT AI[Delta] A[Delta]P ANTONINOC CEBEVC Laureate head right
REV: L ENATOV IS Nilus reclining left, holding reed and cornucopiae (from which emerges a genius) Crocodile below and to right. L ENATOY = Year 9, the IS refers to the ideal inuntation of the nile (16 cubits, 7.3 meters). The "genius" emerging from the cornucopia is in fact, a representation of Harpokrates, son of Isis. 22.50 g Diameter 33.4 mm. Emmett 1621(9); D.2747corr; G.1449; MILNE 1868, Kampmann-Ganschow 35.217
mattpat
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Fraction - cheval/volute/bucrane, -100/-60Argent, 0,52 g, 11 mm.
A/ Tête juvénile à droite, grènetis.
R/ Cheval à droite, esse ou volute dessus, bucrane dessous.
Réfs : Monnaie absente des ouvrages de référence, voir OMNI n°4 (02/2012), p. 21-23, "Les deniers d'argent au cheval, S couché et bucrane, variétés et divisions", J.-L. MirmandGabalor
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Hadrian (Nile River)Denarius of Hadrian, emperor of Rome 117-138
"Travel series"
Nile River (Nilus)
RIC 310
RIC II.3 1547
O: HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP
R: NILVS
Ex- CNGSt. George's Collection
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Hadrian Alexandrian DrachmAVT KAI TRAI A∆PIA CEB
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind
Nilus seated left on rocks, reed in right, cornucopia in left, crocodile right climbing up rocks, IS / L (year 16) above left
Alexandria
25.03g, 34mm
Emmett 1014
Ex-Zurgieh
The Greek numeral sixteen (Iς) above Nilus refers to what was considered the ideal height of the annual Nile flood, sixteen cubits. Less could mean drought or famine. Even in modern times grand celebrations were held when the flood reached 16 cubits. In years when the flood failed to reach 16 cubits, the celebrations were canceled, and prayers and fasting were held instead. The peak flood occurred at the end of August, which explains why the Egyptian year began on 29 August.
GiftedJay GT4
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Hadrian DenariusHadrian
OBV: HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP
REV: NILVS
Goddess of Nile reclining
RIC 310, RSC 991, BMC 862, Sear 3508
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Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Roman Provincial EgyptBronze drachm, (Geissen 1001); (Dattari 1808); (Milne 1276); (SNG Cop 350); (BMC Alexandria p. 92, 785); (Kampmann-Ganschow 32.470); (Emmett 1014), weight 27.286g, max. diameter 35.5mm, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 128 - 28 Aug 129; obverse AVT KAIC TPAI ADPIA CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, wearing aegis, from behind; reverse Nilus reclining left on a crocodile right, himation around waist and legs, cornucopia in right from which an infant genius emerges, reed in left, Greek #16 above, L TPICKAI (year 13) in ex.Thin olive green patina.
Background info. courtesy Forvm Ancient Coins
The Greek numeral sixteen (Ις) above Nilus refers to what was considered the ideal height of the annual Nile flood, sixteen cubits. Less could mean drought or famine. Even in modern times grand celebrations were held when the flood reached 16 cubits. In years when the flood failed to reach 16 cubits, the celebrations were canceled, and prayers and fasting were held instead. The peak flood occured at the end of August, which explains why the Egyptian year began on 29 August.
Ex Forvm Ancient Coins
Ex Rusty RomansSteve E
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Hadrian, 117 - 138 ADObv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP, bare head of Hadrian facing right.
Rev: NILVS, Nilus reclining right, holding a cornucopia and a reed; before him is a hippopotamus and below is a crocodile.
Silver Denarius, Rome mint, 136 AD
3.3 grams, 18.34 mm, 180°
RIC II 310a, RSC 989, S3508 (var.), VM 36Matt Inglima
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IV - ANTONINUS PIUS - b- AE Drachmon ALEXANDRIA // EGYPT Kamp/Gansch Nr: 35.362Av) AVT K T AΔP ANTΩNЄINOC CЄB EVC
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust senn from the back right
Rv) ЄKATOY
Field: Δ L
Nile holding palm brach, walking left and crowning a trophaion
Weight: 31,62g; Ø: 36mm; Reference: Kampmann/Ganschow: 35.362
ALEXANDRIA mint - EGYPT; struck 146 A.D. - 147 A.D.
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Kings of Aksum, Ezanas (Struck after his conversion to Christianity in 330 A.D.), BMC Aksum 90Kings of Aksum, Ezanas (Struck after his conversion to Christianity in 330 A.D.) c 330-350 A.D. AE, 0.60g 12mm, Munro-Hay 52; BMC Aksum 90
O: BACI ΛEΨC, draped bust right wearing headcloth
R: +TOV TO APECH TH XWPA (May This [the cross] Please the Country), small cross in circle (generally the interiors of the circle and cross were gilt with gold, but none is evident on this example)
Aksum was the first civilization anywhere to use the cross of Christ on its coins (Pankhurst 27), even before the Romans. King Ezana (also known as Abreha) was the first to do so around 330 CE (Pankhurst 27). Ezana became king sometime between 320-325 CE and as a child, he and his court, were converted to Christianity by Frumentius (Prouty and Rosenfeld 65). Ezana began to use the coins as propaganda to spread his religion by replacing the crescent symbols with the cross. Later rulers from late 4th and 5th centuries incorporated on the coins phrases such as ‘By the grace of God’ and ‘Christ is with us (Munro-Ray 190-2).’
The establishment of Christianity in Aksum saw the beginning of an active pilgrimage traffic between Ethiopia and the Holy Land. Pilgrims traveled down the Nile valley and then across to Palestine and Jerusalem. The pilgrims of course brought their coins with them, and the overt Christian symbolism appealed to the local communities through which they passed. As a result, Axumite bronze coins and local imitations of them saw considerable circulation in Egypt and Palestine. They have been found at numerous 4th to 6th century sites, circulating alongside the regular Roman and Byzantine nummi. A settlement of Coptic Ethiopian monks remains in Jerusalem to this day, their main shrine being on the roof of the Holy Sepulchre church, the only location permitted them by the more numerous Christian sects.
Aksum is the purported home of the Ark of the Covenant. According to regional tradition, the Ark is housed in the Church of Mary of Zion. The Ark, according to legends, was brought to Aksum by King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba's son and placed under guard. No one but the one guard priest is allowed in, and thus no one can verify the Ark's existence. According to the Kebra Nagast, when Menelik, came to visit his father in Jerusalem, his father gave him a copy of the Ark, and commanded the first-born sons of the elders of his kingdom to go to Ethiopia and settle there. The sons of the elders did not want to live away from the presence of the Ark, so they switched the copy with the original and smuggled the Ark out of the country. Menelik only learned that the original was with his group during the journey home.
casata137ec
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Les Salyens, SALUVII, -100/-50Obole AM
Argent, 0,46 g, 10 mm
Av./ Tête juvénile à droite, cou coupant le grènetis.
Rv./ Roue à quatre rayons cantonnée des lettres M et A
Réfs : Dicomon OBP-27a ; Maurel 439Gabalor
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Les Salyens, SALUVII, -100/-50Obole au soleil
Argent, 0,45 g, 11,5 mm
Av./ Tête juvénile à gauche.
Rv./ Soleil.
Réfs : Dicomon OBP-24B ; Maurel 427-429Gabalor
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Louis XIV (1643-1715) - Demi ecu au buste juvenile 1648 AAtelier de Paris (A)
LVD . XIIII . D . G . FR . ET . NAV . REX, buste enfantin a la mèche tombant sur l'epaule, lauré, drapé et cuirassé a droite. Point sous le quatrieme I de XIIII
rose SIT . NOMEN . DOMINI BENEDICTVM . 1648, ecu de France couronné, A à la pointe de l'ecu
13.49 gr
Ref : Ciani # 1850
92-114Potator II
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Louis XV (1715 - 1774), Gilt AE (Brass) Jeton struck c.1726 - 1741Obverse: LUD•XV•D•G•FR•ET•N•REX. Laureate, draped and cuirassed juvenile bust of Louis XV facing left.
Reverse: VIS ANIMI CUM CORPORE CRESCIT. Apollo standing facing, head right, right hand on hip, bow in left hand, his right foot trampling the dragon that he has just defeated. Die flaw obscuring Apollo's face and in the left field of the reverse. Exergue, blank.
Dimensions: 23.78mm | Weight: 4.8gms | Die Axis: 6
Ref. Feuardent: 13230
Struck at Nuremburg, Germany.
Die engraver: Although it is known that Michael Leykauff (Leichkauff or Leikauf)
was mint-master at Nuremburg from 1724 until he retired in 1768 the actual engraver of this jeton (which dates from around 1726 to 1741) is uncertain.
This jeton was issued while Louis was still young. Louis reigned from the age of 5 under the regency of his uncle Philippe, son of Louis XIV's younger brother, also Philippe. The regency ran from 1715 until 1723, the year Louis attained his majority and which was also the year of Philippe's death.
The reverse inscription, which translates as “The strength of the mind grows with the body” is an almost exact quote from Lucretius' work “On the nature of things” which was popular in France at this time. *Alex
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Lydia, Characa. Drusus AE18. Amphora countermark Drusus Caesar (Son of Germanicus, Brother of Caligula and Nero Caesar)
Obv. DPOVSOS KAISAP, Juvenile head of Drusus.
Rev. MENOFANTOY KAPAKI..., Caduceus.
18mm., 4.2gm.
Sylloge of Ancient Unedited Coins of Greek Cities and Kings, 1837, p. 79
Howgego 369.ancientone
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Massalia, imitation péri-massaliète -150/ -25Obole MA
Argent, 0,64 g, 10,5 mm
Av./ Tête juvénile à gauche.
Rv./ Roue à quatre rayons cantonnée des lettres M et A
Réfs : Dicomon OBP- - - .Gabalor
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Massalia, Marseille. Obole à l'ethnique et au M (c. 425-400 AC)a/ Tête juvénile cornue à droite du dieu fleuve. MASSALIWTAN
r/ Roue à quatre rayons avec moyeu central. M dans le 3ème quadrant.
9mm; 0.77g; 10hT.MooT
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Minnie Tulipan Society Inc. (probably Brooklyn, New York)AE token, 28.5 mm. (undated)
Obv: GOOD LUCK along rim above Jewish star, חי (Chai = life and/or luck) below star to the left and to the right, MINNIE TULIPAN and SOCIETY INC. above and below two faces in profile within star.
Rev: HELP BUILD/A/JEWISH HOME/NON-SECTARIAN/FOR/SENILE AGED.
Ref: None known.
Note: Incorporated in New York State in 1928 and still an active not-for-profit corporation, I have not been able to find any information about this organization.Stkp
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Overview of Plautilla's Coinage by Potator IIThere are five main types of portrait for Plautilla’s denarii at the Rome mint :
A - With a draped bust right, hair coiled in horizontal ridges and fastened in bun in high position. Her facial expression is juvenile
B - Hair being coiled in vertical ridges, with bun in low position. Plautilla looks here more like a young beautiful woman
C - The third bust shows a thinner face of Plautilla with hair in vertical ridges and no bun but braids covering her neck
D - The fourth type has a similar appearance with the former, but the vertical ridges disappear, hair being plastered down, still showing the right ear
E - Plautilla appears with mid long hair plastered down and covering her ears
In the mean time there are seven different reverses :
1 - CONCORDIAE AETERNAE
2 - PROPAGO IMPERI
3 - CONCORDIA AVGG
4 - CONCORDIA FELIX
5 - PIETAS AVGG
6 - VENVS VICTRIX
7 – DIANA LVCIFERA
Not every combination exists, but some of the above reverses can be shared by several obverse portraits. Noticeable also is an evolution of the obverse legend, being PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE (a) in 202, and becoming PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA (b) soon after.
Taken with permission from the gallery of Potator II:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/index.php?cat=11724LordBest
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Probus, Antoninianus, ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, XXIAAE Antoninianus
Probus
Augustus: 276 - 282AD
Issued: 277AD
22.0mm 3.01gr
O: IMP CM AVR PROBVS PF AVG; Radiate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter with eagle atop.
R: ADVENTVS PROBI AVG; Probus riding horse left, raising hand and holding scepter; seated captive to left.
Exergue: XXIA
Siscia Mint
Aorta: ?: B48, O38, R6, T56, M6.
RIC IV Siscia 632, XXIA.
cleo.de.nile 162170412381
8/24/16 1/22/17Nicholas Z
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ROMAN EMPIRE, Festival of Isis, Anonymous AE3, 4th century A.D. Obverse: DEO SARAPIDI. Bust of Serapis wearing modius facing right.
Reverse: SANCTO NILO. Nile river-god reclining left, holding a small ship and a reed stalk, resting left arm on an overturned urn out of which water flows.
Struck at Rome in the middle of the fourth century.
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Roman Republic, Q. Cassius Longinus, Crawford 428/3Q. Cassius Longinus, gens Cassia
AR - denarius, 3.82g, 19.49mm, 135°
Rome, 55 BC
Obv.: Bust of juvenile Juppter, eagle topped sceptre behind
Rev.: Eagle stg. r. on thunderbolt, lituus left, jug right
below Q CASSIVS
Ref.: Crawford 428/3; Sydenham 916; Cassia 7
banker's marks on obv., otherwise VF
Obv. sometimes called Bonus Eventus or Genius, but the eagle topped sceptre speaks for Juppiter
Q. Cassius Longinus was the brother of C. Cassius Longinus, the actual mastermind behind the Caesar murder.Jochen
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RPC 2435 VespasianÆ Obol, 3.78g
Alexandria mint, 71-72 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΔ; Canopus, r.
RPC 2435 (11 spec.). Emmett 219.4. Dattari-Savio 371.
Acquired from Lodge Antiquities, January 2021.
This Alexandrian ethnic type features an Osiris-Canopus jar on the reverse. Osiris here is depicted as a jar with a human head. The lid is the head of Osiris with his hair coiffed in an Egyptian style called the klaft. He is wearing a crown and the protective uraeus, or sacred cobra. His body is a Canopic jar, a vessel which held the internal organs of the deceased for the afterlife. These jars were carried by priests to symbolically transport the Nile's sacred waters during processions. The jar may possibly symbolise the abundance brought by the waters. This fertility type began showing up on the coinage in the First Century. The regnal year four issue is the most common date for this reverse under Vespasian.David Atherton
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RPC 2466 TitusAR Tetradrachm, 13.08g
Alexandria mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: AYTOK TITOY KAIΣ OYEΣΠAΣIANOY ΣEB; Head of Titus, laureate, r.
Rev: NIA-OΣ; bust of Nilus with lotus on shoulder, r., date LΓ to r.
RPC 2466 (4 spec.). Emmett 234.3. Dattari-Savio 462.
Acquired from Tater's Relics, eBay, June 2023.
The Nilus type makes an appearance on Titus's tetradrachms during his third regnal year and is a carry-over reverse from Vespasian's Alexandrian bronze issues. Nilus was the god of the river Nile and father to several children. He is often shown on the coinage as a bearded old man holding a lotus flower, which symbolises the sun breaking forth from the water every morning with a beautiful bloom.
Titus's Alexandrian tetradrachms are scarcer than those of his father, perhaps owing to the shorter amount of time they were struck and a general winding down of the mint's production.David Atherton
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RPC 2591 DomitianÆ Obol, 4.49g
Alexandria mint, 90-91 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΙ; Hippopotamus, r.
RPC 2591 (0 spec.). Emmett 320.10. Dattari-Savio 615.
Acquired from London Ancient Coins, May 2022. Ex Naville Numismatics 72, 27 March 2022, lot 254.
The Alexandrian mint under Domitian around regnal year 10 experienced a 'dramatic improvement in style' and the 'adoption of a wide range of new types' (Milne). One of those new types was this ethnic hippopotamus reverse that had previously been struck under the Julio-Claudians. The hippo in local Egyptian mythology was a potent symbol of prosperity, rebirth, and regeneration. In the days of the pharaohs the killing of a hippo was symbolic of courage and strength. Hippo hunts were necessary due to the animal's habit of grazing and destroying precious crops. Today the Nile hippopotamus is extinct in Egypt. This Domitanic hippo obol is extremely rare, likely due to it being sparingly struck for just a couple of issues.
David Atherton
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RPC 2645 DomitianÆ Obol, 4.26g
Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΙΑ; Sphinx, r.
RPC 2645 (11 spec.). Emmett 326.11. Dattari-Savio 570.
Acquired from Athena, February 2021.
In Domitian's 11th regnal year at Alexandria the city's mint struck a most fascinating obol featuring the Great Sphinx of Giza on the reverse. The monolith of a mythical beast with a pharaoh's head and lion's body was carved out of solid limestone during the reign of pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558–2532 BC) and sits on the west bank of the Nile in front of the Great Pyramid. During the Roman era the monument was a source of wonderment and awe. Pliny the Elder in the late first century wrote - 'In front of these pyramids is the Sphinx, a still more wondrous object of art, but one upon which silence has been observed, as it is looked upon as a divinity by the people of the neighbourhood. It is their belief that King Harmaïs was buried in it, and they will have it that it was brought there from a distance. The truth is, however, that it was hewn from the solid rock; and, from a feeling of veneration, the face of the monster is coloured red. The circumference of the head, measured round the forehead, is one hundred and two feet, the length of the feet being one hundred and forty-three, and the height, from the belly to the summit of the asp on the head, sixty-two.' A stela was erected by the people of the nearby village of Busiris during the reign of Nero and it commemorates the Sphinx being completely freed from the sand. At this time it served as a romantic backdrop to local theatrical performances.
This rare obol was struck in the early 90's soon after the Alexandrian mint was overhauled and new types were introduced. Traditional Sphinxes from Greek myth with a winged lion's body and woman's head had been depicted on coins before, but this is the first instance of the Great Sphinx being shown on any coin. The reclining position, lack of wings, and pharaoh's head leave no doubt that the Giza monolith is indeed what we see on the reverse. The Sphinx obol along with the Pharos hemidrachm serve as a sort of first century travelogue for the ancient traveller of what to see when visting Roman Egypt.David Atherton
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RPC 2646 DomitianÆ Obol, 2.80g
Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, l.
Rev: LΙΑ; Sphinx, r.
RPC 2646 (0 spec.). Emmett 326.11f. Dattari-Savio 571.
Acquired from ebay, June 2022.
In Domitian's 11th regnal year at Alexandria the city's mint struck a most fascinating obol featuring the Great Sphinx of Giza on the reverse. The monolith of a mythical beast with a pharaoh's head and lion's body was carved out of solid limestone during the reign of pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558–2532 BC) and sits on the west bank of the Nile in front of the Great Pyramid. During the Roman era the monument was a source of wonderment and awe. Pliny the Elder in the late first century wrote - 'In front of these pyramids is the Sphinx, a still more wondrous object of art, but one upon which silence has been observed, as it is looked upon as a divinity by the people of the neighbourhood. It is their belief that King Harmaïs was buried in it, and they will have it that it was brought there from a distance. The truth is, however, that it was hewn from the solid rock; and, from a feeling of veneration, the face of the monster is coloured red. The circumference of the head, measured round the forehead, is one hundred and two feet, the length of the feet being one hundred and forty-three, and the height, from the belly to the summit of the asp on the head, sixty-two.' A stela was erected by the people of the nearby village of Busiris during the reign of Nero and it commemorates the Sphinx being completely freed from the sand. At this time it served as a romantic backdrop to local theatrical performances.
Rare left facing portrait variant of this interesting type.
David Atherton
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RPC 2750 DomitianÆ Dichalkon, 1.58g
Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD
Obv: No legend; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΙΑ; Crocodile, r., with sun disc
RPC 2750. Emmett 333.11. Dattari-Savio 6815-16.
Acquired from Athena, March 2021.
A series of small bronzes were struck at Alexandria without obverse inscriptions. Identifying which reign they belong to is down to identifying the obverse portrait and the regnal year date on the reverse. We are on firm ground with this dichalkon which unmistakably features a portrait of Domitian on the obverse and regnal year 11 on the reverse. This ethnic type featuring a Nile crocodile is fairly rare, being struck for just a handful of regnal years. It almost certainly depicts the ancient Egyptian crocodile god Sobek, god of the Nile and fertility. Sobek was particularly venerated during the Roman period in the Fayum, a swampy area west of the Nile Valley that was a natural home for crocodiles.
One of the finest known specimens of this rare type.David Atherton
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RPC II 2470 TitusObv: AYTOK TITOY KAIΣ OYEΣΠAΣIANOY ΣEB, Laureate head right
Rev: NIΛOΣ – LΓ (low right), Bust of Nile with lotus on shoulder, right; Star in left field.
BIL/Tetradrachm (23.43 mm 12.83 g 12h) Struck in Alexandria (Egypt) 80-81 A.D.
RPC 2470, SNG France 858FlaviusDomitianus
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RPC II 2522_DomitianusObv: AVT ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ, Laureate head right
Rev: NEIΛOΣ (above) / L ζ (left field), Nile reclined left; below hippopotamus and lotus
BIL/Tetradrachm (26.32 mm 11.440 g 12h) Struck in Alexandria (Egypt) 86-87 A.D.
RPC 2522, Dattari-Savio 442-6719
ex CGB From the ENP CollectionFlaviusDomitianus
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Uncertain city, Drusus AE18. Amphora countermark Obv. DPOVSOS KAISAP, Juvenile head of Drusus.
Rev. MENOFANTOY KAPAKI..., Caduceus.
18mm and 4.2gm.
"This coin, evidently of Asia Minor, but particularly of that part situated about the Maeander and Hermus, is probably of a place called Characa, mentioned by Strabo as situated on the road from Tralles to Nysa, and at equall distances. Stephanus speaks also of a city of Charax in Lydia, which he identifies with Tralles." J. Millingen, Sylloge of Ancient Unedited Coins of Greek Cities and Kings ... 1837, p. 79 (pl. 4, 56 (*).
Howgego 369, amphora countermark.
ancientone
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[1119a] Probus, Antoninianus, 276-282 A.D.Probus (AD 276-282) AE Antoninianus; Obverse: Radiate bust, left, wearing imperial mantel and holding scepter surmounted by eagle IMP. PROBVS P. F. AVG. Reverse: Cult image of Roma seated within six column temple ROMAE AETER. R thunderbolt A in exergue; Rome mint 21mm x 22mm, 3.59g; VF; RIC, Vol. 5. Part 2, #183.
De Imperatoribus Romanis,
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors
Probus (276-282 A.D.) and Rival Claimants (Proculus, Bonosus, and Saturninus)of the 280s
Robin Mc Mahon
New York University
Probus's Background
M. Aurelius Probus was most likely born in Sirmium in 232 A.D. It is difficult to reconstruct Probus' career before he became emperor because of the unreliable nature of the account in the Historia Augusta, but it is certainly possible that he was a tribune under Valerian. Perhaps all that can be said with any reliability is that he served in the military and was on Aurelian's staff during his Eastern campaigns. There is a certain amount of confusion in the sources about him because of the fact that he has often been confused with a certain Tenagino Probus, who served as prefect in Egypt under Claudius II Gothicus.
Accession to Power
After the murder of Aurelian, the Senate chose as his successor the septuagenarian senator, Tacitus, who took up the burdens of state and headed with the army to the East. The Eruli had overrun Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia and finally Cilicia, where Tacitus, with help from his half-brother Florianus, defeated them. Tacitus, however, either died of an illness or was killed by his own troops; he was succeeded by Florianus. In the meantime, Probus had been declared Emperor by his own troops in mid-276, and prepared to meet Florianus, who was marching from the Bosporus, having broken off his victorious engagement against the Eruli. Florianus was acknowledged in Rome and was supported by Gaul, Spain, Britain, and Italy; Probus was supported by Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine and Egypt. The two fought a desultory campaign near Tarsus. With a much smaller force, Probus decided his best strategy would be to avoid a pitched battle and let the heat overcome the troops of Florianus. The latter, having reigned barely two months, was murdered by his own troops. Probus became sole Emperor, possibly by August 276.
Probus in the West: 276-279
His first order of business was to punish the murderers of Aurelian, who may have also had a hand in the murder of Tacitus. On the basis of numismatic evidence, Probus appears to have traveled from the east across the Propontis, and then through the provinces of Thrace, Moesia and Pannonia. It is at this time that he must have defeated the Goths because he already had the title Gothicus by 277 A.D. Shortly after he arrived at the Rhine River he made a trip to Rome to have his powers ratified by the Senate.
Following the death of Postumus in 258, the situation in Gaul had rapidly deteriorated and numerous bands of invaders had swept across the Rhine. In the south, the Longiones, together with the Alamanni, had advanced through the Neckar valley into Gaul. The Franks had crossed the Rhine further north. In order to meet this simultaneous threat, Probus divided his forces having his generals campaign against the Franks, while he himself fought against the Longiones and Alamanni. Both Probus and his generals were victorious; in fact, Probus even captured Semnon, the leader of the Longiones, with his son. Both groups of invaders agreed to terms and booty and prisoners were returned; in the end, Probus allowed Semnon and his son their freedom.
Probus is next reported to have fought victoriously against the Burgundians and to have secured his victory with some ingenuity. Because his forces were smaller than those of the invaders, he wanted to engage the enemy on terms as favorable as possible; the Romans were on one side of the river and the barbarians were on the other. Probus was able to induce them to cross the river by having his soldiers hurl insults at them, and being enraged, they began crossing the river. Before the barbarians were able to organize themselves, the Roman army soundly routed them. Smarting from their defeat, the enemy did not live up to their end of the treaty, with the result that, in a second battle, they were again worsted by Probus. The barbarians who were taken prisoner were enrolled in the Roman Army and sent to Britain.
Not content with merely defeating the barbarians along the Rhine, Probus took important steps to secure the boundary for the future. He planned and constructed a series of forts and depots on the German side of the Rhine at various crossing points, which he garrisoned with troops. Further, Probus apparently took measures to restore economic stability to Gaul by encouraging the planting of vineyards. Probus' titles Gothicus Maximus and Germanicus Maximus suggest claims to the success of his operations in the area.
Events in the East 279-280
The sources do not give many details of Probus's activities in Raetia and Illyricum, but Zosimus does say he repulsed an invasion of Vandals from Illyricum in a battle along a river generally identified as the Lech. In 279, theatre of operations was Lycia. Zosimus records the curious story of the adventures and death of a robber chieftain name Lydius who may be the same individual called Palfuerius in the Historia Augusta. In order to prevent further troubles, Probus constructed fortresses, and settled large groups of veterans in this area, giving them land in exchange for the promise that their sons would also serve in the legions when they were old enough.
Probus's Military and Economic Activities In Egypt
Meanwhile, Probus had sent his generals to Egypt, where the Blemmyes were stirring up trouble in 280; they had broken through the border, advanced up the Nile, and, in league with the city of Ptolemais, captured the city of Koptus. They were eventually expelled and order was restored by Probus' generals. Once Probus had restored order, he set about the task of a large-scale reconstruction of the dikes, canals, and bridges along the Nile, something which not been done since it had been undertaken by Augustus in the years 27-25 B.C. More specifically, the Vita Probi notes, "On the Nile, moreover, he did so much that his sole efforts added greatly to the tithes of grain. He constructed bridges and temples porticos and basilicas, all by the labour of the soldiers, he opened up many river-mouths, and drained many marshes, and put in their place grain-fields and farms"(9.3-4). The importance of this type of work cannot be underestimated since a large percentage of the food supply for Rome came from Egypt and the African provinces.
The Revolts of Proculus, Bonosus, and Saturninus
According to the Historia Augusta, although the Persian King, Vahram II, had made peaceful overtures, Probus had rejected these and was planning to push the war forward when he was faced with a series of revolts both in the West and East. It is difficult to place them in their exact time-frame since the sources do not agree. Nevertheless, the situation was serious enough for Probus to cancel his plans for war with Persia and hurry back to the West. On his return Probus settled large numbers of barbarians in the Empire. Perhaps this was done to repopulate areas which had been left abandoned by the effects of invasions and plague. This policy, which Probus did not begin, and which was continued by his successors was, however, destined to bring trouble to Rome in the future.
The writer of the Vita Probi in the Historia Augusta indicates that in 280 A.D. Proculus revolted in the vicinity of the city of Lugdunum, which had been severely dealt with by Aurelian and, for reasons not given, spurred on by this fear, had adopted a hostile attitude towards Probus. Proculus apparently had some connections to the Franks and he had hoped to rally them to his cause. They appear, however, to have handed him over to Probus when he arrived on the scene. Probably at the same time, Bonosus revolted. His rebellion seems to have been serious as it appears to have required considerable force to be suppressed. Bonosus, an officer in charge of the Rhine fleet, had somehow let the Germans slip over the border and burn the fleet. Fearful of retribution, he apparently took shelter in proclaiming himself emperor. He was, in spite of his lapse with the fleet, an excellent soldier. The fighting was only stopped when Bonosus, despairing of his position, hanged himself. Probus spared the lives of his sons as well as that of his wife.
Julius Saturninus, one of Probus 's commanders in Syria, probably seized power in the year 281. A close friend and associate of Probus, he may have been compelled to adopt the purple by his unruly troops. Although he initially rejected a request of the people of Alexandria to put on the purple, he later changed his mind and proclaimed himself Augustus. In any case, Probus planned to put down the rebellion. However, Saturninus was killed by his own troops before Probus had a chance to act.
The sources do not provide much in the way of material to analyze the extent of these revolts and how widespread the feeling was against Probus in the West. There are indications that the revolts were more than local affairs because inscriptions from as far away as Spain have been found where Probus's name has been erased.
In 281 Probus was in Rome to celebrate his victories. Although the Historia Augusta goes into great detail to describe the events of Probus’s triumph and celebrations of his victories in respect to the number of animals and prisoners involved, there may be some truth to its description because Zosimus states there was a uprising which at this time required a force of soldiers to suppress. On a more substantial note, Probus completed the wall around Rome which had been begun by Aurelian.
Probus' Assassination
Probus was too anxious to push ahead with his plans for an invasion of Persia, which had been postponed due to the revolts and unrest in the West, and, to this end, he left Rome in 282 and proceeded first to his native town of Sirmium when news came that M. Aurelius Carus, Perfect of the Guard, had been proclaimed emperor. When troops sent by Probus to quell the rebellion went over to Carus, Probus' remaining troops killed the emperor. His death occurred sometime between September or October 282.
Copyright (C) 1999, Robin Mc Mahon. Published on De Imperatoribus Romanis, An Online Encyclopedia of the Roman Emperors and their Families; http://www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm. Used by permission.
Probus started as a simple soldier but advanced to general and was declared emperor after the death of Tacitus. Florian's murder left him as undisputed ruler. His leadership brought peace and prosperity but he was murdered by mutinous soldiers, enraged at being employed on public building projects. Joseph Sermarini, FORVM.
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
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