| Image search results - "happiness" |
005a. AntoniaAntonia
she exposed a plot between her daughter Livilla and Sejanus, Tiberius's Praetorian Prefect. This led to Sejanus's downfall and to the death of Livilla. Claudius, her biggest disappointment (she once called him a "monster") was the only one of her children to survive her.
She committed suicide in 37 AD on Caligula's orders after expressing unhappiness over the murder of her youngest grandson, Tiberius Gemellus. There is a passage in Suetonius's "Life of Gaius" that mentions how Caligula may have given her poison himself. Renowned for her beauty and virtue, Antonia spent her long life revered by the Roman people and enjoyed many honors conferred upon her by her relatives.
Æ Dupondius (10.61 gm). Struck by Claudius. Draped bust right / Claudius standing left, holding simpulum. RIC I 92 (Claudius); BMCRE 166 (same); Cohen 6. Ex-CNG
Checkecoli
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138-161 AD - ANTONINUS PIUS AR denarius - struck 140-143 ADobv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III (bare head right)
rev: GENIVS POP ROMANI (Genius standing front, head right, with scepter & cornucopiae)
ref: RIC III 70, RSC 405 (6frcs), BMC 207
3.15gms, 18mm
The Roman genius, representing man's natural optimism, always endeavoured to guide him to happiness; that man was intended to enjoy life is shown by the fact that the Roman spoke of indulging or cheating his genius of his due according as he enjoyed himself or failed to do so, when he had the opportunity. The genius publicus Populi Romani - probably distinct from the genius Urbis Romae, to whom an old shield on the Capitol was dedicated, stood in the forum near the temple of Concord, in the form of a bearded man, crowned with a diadem, and carrying a cornucopiae and sceptre. In imperial times the genius of Augustus and of the reigning emperor, as part of the sacra of the imperial family, were publicly worshipped. The reverse probably commemorate this (the scepter as Genius attributum is unusual).berserker
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177-192 AD - COMMODUS AR denarius - struck 183-184 ADobv: M.COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS (laureate head right)
rev: TRP VIIII IMP VI COS IIII PP (Felicitas standing left holding caduceus & cornucopiae, modius at foot left)
ref: RIC III 74, RSC 445
3.01gms, 16mm
Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul (IV) with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title 'Pius'. The adoption of the title Pius by Commodus looks like a direct appeal to the memory of the beloved Antoninus.
Felicity's image occurs on almost all the imperial series coins; because the senate professed to wish that all princes should consider it their duty to promote public happiness, and also because those princes themselves were peculiarly desirous of having it regarded as a blessing attached to their own reign.berserker
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198-217 AD - Caracalla - RIC IV 127 - FELICITAS AVGGEmperor: Caracalla (r. 198-217 AD)
Date: 201-206 AD
Condition: EF
Denomination: Denarius
Obverse: ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG
Emperor Antoninus Pius (Caracalla)
Bust right; laureate and draped
Reverse: FELICITAS AVGG
The Emperors provide happiness.
Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae.
Rome mint
RIC IV Caracalla 127
3.30g; 20.0mm; 30°Pep
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21. Philip I.Antoninianus, 244-245 AD, Antioch mint (or "Unknown mint").
Obverse: IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG PM / Radiate bust of Philip I.
Reverse: SPES FELICITATIS ORBIS / Spes walking, holding flower and raising skirt.
4.89 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #70; Sear #8967.
The reverse legend expresses the hope that the whole world will enjoy happiness under Philip's rule.Callimachus
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268-270 AD - Claudius Gothicus - RIC V 032 or 033 - FELICITAS AVGEmperor: Claudius Gothicus (r. 268-270 AD)
Date: 268-270 AD
Condition: Fine
Denomination: Antoninianus
Obverse: IMP (C?) CLAVDIVS AVG
Imperator Emperor Claudius
Head right; radiate
Reverse: FELICITAS AVG
The Emperor provides happiness and success.
Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.
"B" in right field (Rome mint, second officina)
RIC V 32 or 33, VM 10
2.47g; 21.8mm; 180°Pep
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Chulalongkorn Coat of ArmsChulalongkorn (Rama V--Chakri Dynasty) Coat of Arms
Origin/Meaning:
The arms of the Kingdom of Siam were created during the reign of King Chulalongkorn the Great, Rama V, when the Kingdom was exposed to Western traditions, ideas, and also European threat of colonialism. King Chulalongkorn, who visited Europe twice, modernized Siam and adopted many of the European traditions to his court, including the use of heraldry.
On the top of the coat of arms is the Great Victory Crown of Thailand, the most important royal regalia and the symbol of kingship. Under the crown is the symbol of the Royal House of Chakri, the King's royal family, which is a disc intersected with a trident. The royal multi-tiered umbrellas of state are also present on either side of the crown. To both sides of the coat of arms are the other regalia, the royal sword and the royal baton. In the background is the draped robe - either the Royal robe of the King or the robe of the Order of Chulachomklao - an order created by the King. The supporters are two (again) mythical creatures, one is the Royal Lion, rajasiha, and the other is Elephant Lion, gaja-siha.
The shield itself is partitioned into three parts, signifying the Thai part of the Kingdom (the 3-headed elephant) on the top, the Laotian suzerainty (another elephant), and the Malay suzerainty (two "kris", or Malayan short swords).
The chain under the Arms is a necklace that is a part of the Order of Chulachomklao.
The ribbon under the Arms is inscribed with the motto (in Pali, the language of the Buddhist canon) which may be translated as "Unity brings happiness".
When the present seal (the Garuda) was made the State symbol, King Chulalongkorn's great arms were no longer used as a State symbol, however, it still adorns the hats of Thai police officers to this day.
Literature : Information provided by Apirat Sugondhabhirom
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Sitemap © Ralf Hartemink 1996, -
Cleisthenes
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Claudius RIC I, 38Claudius, AD 41 - 54
AV - Aureus, 7.71g, 18mm
Rome 46/47
obv. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG PM TRP VI IMP XI
laureate head r.
rev. PACI AVGVSTAE
Pax/Nemesis walking r., holding with l. hand caduceus
and point with it at snake at her feet; holding fold of the
robe before her chin
RIC I, 38; C.57; von Kaenel 628 (this specimen!)
R2; about VF
One of my favorite coins due to its pedigree:
ex Glandining & Co. Sale Nr. 2, London, 15.7.1029, Nr.666 (depicted)
(ex coll. Moritz Simon, Berlin)
ex Cahn, Auktion 68, Frankfurt, 26.11.1930, Nr. 232 (depicted)
ex M&M, Basel
ex Dr. Brandt, Klassische Münzen, Tübingen, February 2002
from Curtis Clay: Herbert Cahn, one of the greatest
German coin houses, had to flee from the Nazis to Switzerland
1 NEMESIS, Goddess of rightful distribution
2 CADUCEUS, holding caduceus to snake = welfare
3 The interpretation of N.'s gesture, holding fold of the robe to the chin as spitting in the neck and symbol for happiness, is doubtful. Rossbach thinks it may be a gesture of modesty!
This all stands for the politics of Claudius!Jochen
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Crawford 494/39, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, L. Mussidius Longus, AR Denarius Rome, The Imperators.
L. Mussidius Longus. 42 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.72g; 16mm).
Rome mint, 42 BCE.
Obverse: Wreathed head of Julius Caesar facing right.
Reverse: L·MVSSIDIVS·LONGVS; caduceus on globe, flanked by rudder, cornucopia and apex.
References: Crawford 494/39a; HCRI 116; Sydenham 1096a; BMCRR Rome 4238-9; Mussidia 8; Julia 58.
Provenance: Ex Heritage Auction 3087 (17 Dec 2020) Lot 30041; Dr. Walter F. Stöcklin (d. 1975) Collection [Nomos Obolos 9 (25 Mar 2018) Lot 108]; acquired before 1975.
The moneyer is not otherwise known to history. Struck during the lead-up to Phillipi, the coin certainly reflects favor on the Caesarian side of the conflict, with the portrait of the late dictator on the obverse and devices referring to Caesar’s accomplishments on the reverse. The rudder and globe refer to Caesar’s military success and imperium over land and sea. The apex refers to his position as Pontifex Maximus. The cornucopia and caduceus allude to the blessings and happiness that Caesar bestowed on Rome. Multiple legend arrangements appear on this type, with curved and straight-line arrangements sometimes above, beside and below the devices.
The obverse fields show some raised striations, possibly caused from die cleaning or otherwise preparing the die for use. Other examples from the same obverse die show similar field striations.
This coin comes from the Stöcklin Collection, sold by Nomos over a series of auctions beginning with Nomos 14 in 17 May 2017. The collection consisted of ancient coins assembled over three generations in the family by Sebastian Roš (1839-1917), his son-in-law Dr. Walter F. Stöcklin (1888-1975) and grandson Dr. Walter M. Stöcklin (d. 1981).
Carausius
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Emperor Philip I the Syrian, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D.Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 75A (R); RSC IV 130, SRCV III 8945, Hunter III -, EF, superb strike with sharp dies, nice metal, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, weight 4.966g, maximum diameter 22.4mm, die axis 0o, 247 - 248 A.D.; obverse IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M TR P IIII COS P P (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power for four years, consul, father of the country), Felicitas standing left, long caduceus in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, ex dear friend Barry Murphy.
FORVM Ancient Coins./ The Sam Mansourati Collection.
*Incredible art
Felicitas was the goddess or personification of happiness, good fortune, and success. She played an important role in Rome's state religion during the empire and was frequently portrayed on coins. She became a prominent symbol of the wealth and prosperity of the Roman Empire.Sam
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FelicitasJulia Mamaea, died 235, mother of Severus Alexander
AR - Denar, 3.22g, 19mm
Rome AD 230
obv. IVLIA MA - MAEA AVG
draped bust, diademed head r.
rev. FELICITAS - PVBLICA
Felicitas sitting l., holding caduceus l. and cornucopiae r.,
l. foot on footstool
FELICITAS, personification of 'happiness' in the sense of prosperity and
success, here of the state (PVBLICA)
1 Caduceus, herald's staff, originally carried by Mercury, later decorated
at the top with a pair of serpents and often winged. Suggesting peace,
stability and concord
2 Cornucopiae, 'horns of plenty', overflowing with fruits and ears of grain,
a motif borrowed from Greek art, symbol of prosperty (brought to the people by
the emperor) Jochen
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Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus) (253-268 A.D.)SRCV 10207, RIC V-S 192, Göbl 547g, Sear 10207, Van Meter --
BI Antoninianus, 2.66 g., 19.50 mm. max., 0°
Rome mint, third officina, struck during solo reign (260-268 A.D.), 263-264 A.D.
Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right.
Rev: FELICIT PVBL, Felicitas seated left holding caduceus in right hand and cornucopia in left, T in exergue.
Felicit is the personification of happiness and success.
RIC rarity C.Stkp
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Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus) (253-268 A.D.)SRCV 10204 var. (officina marks in field), RIC V-S 188-189 var. (officina mark in field), Göbl __, Van Meter 57/2
BI Antoninianus, 2.44 g., 20.25 mm. max., 180°
Rome mint, struck during solo reign (260-268 A.D.), in 261-262 A.D.
Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right.
Rev: FELICIT AVG, standing facing, head right, holding scepter and globe.
Felicit is the personification of happiness and success.
RIC rarity _, Van Meter VB1.Stkp
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Gallienus FELICITAS SAECVLIGallienus, 253 - 24 March 268 A.D.
Radiate draped bust right
Obverse: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG: Imperator Ceasar Publius Licinius Gallienvs Augustus
Imp: Imperator, Supreme army commander
C: Ceasar
P: Publius
LIC: Licinivs
Gallienus: Gallienus
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
Felicitas Saecvli: The happiness of the 100th year
Felicitas: The happiness
Saecvli: 100th year
Diana advancing right holding long torch in both hands.
Domination: Billon Antoninianus, size 20 mm
Mint: Antiochia, 2nd emission, 1st officina ; 255 CE. RIC 212 ; C 51Peter Wissing
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Greek, Ravel; Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto - #1099Taras, Calabria (Plate Coin)
302 - 281 BC (Period VI)
AR Drachm (16mm, 3.09g, 3h)
Nikokrates, magistrate.
O: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with Skylla throwing stone.
R: Owl with closed wings standing right on Ionic capital, head facing; [NIKO]KPAT[HΣ] to left, TA to right.
Vlasto 1099 (this coin); HN Italy 1052
From the M.P. Vlasto Collection. ex CNG
“Michel P. Vlasto was born in Athens on the 1st February 1874 and Studied in Marseilles.
… He was a born artist and very good at drawing. His artistic feeling made him a real worshipper of Greek art; everything beautiful charmed him; if he could have done so a museum would have been his home. The real pleasure he felt in admiring a beautiful work of Greek art was so intense that he used to say he could not imagine life without Art and that beauty and Happiness went together. As a result he could not feel happy unless he was surrounded by Beauty. The room where he used to spend most of his leisure was a kind of temple in which a few perfect specimens of Greek art were the idols he worshipped in a real religious way.
… But all these splendid surroundings were only the frame of the world famous collection of Tarentine coins which represented his chief interest in life and really his sole hobby. But he did not limit himself to collecting coins as most collectors do; he was a real self-made scholar; his knowledge of Tarentine numismatic was complete; there was not a single coin in a public or private cabinet which he did not know, and nothing was said or written about Tarentum, its history and its art which escaped him. He published several contributions to numismatics and many of his books are famous.”
~ Oscar E. Ravel (Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto - 1947)Enodia
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Hadrian Denarius, 134-8, from the Ropsley (Lincolnshire) Hoard 2018, buried 150-2Hadrian (11 Aug 117 - 10 Jul 138 CE), Silver Denarius, Ropsley Hoard 21, RIC II 234d, RSC II 615, BMCRE III 608, Strack II 231, Hunter II -, SRCV I -, gEF, excellent portrait, well-centred and sharply struck on a tight flan, lightly toned, little wear, some hoard encrustations both sides, edge cracks, plain edge, weight 3.27g, composition Ag, diameter 18.0mm, thickness 2.62mm, die axis 210°, Rome mint, 134-8 CE; obverse HADRIANVS-AVG COS III P P, laureate head right; reverse FELICI-T-AS AVG (Happiness of the Emperor), Felicitas, draped, standing half-left, caduceus in right hand, olive branch in left; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Silbury Coins (15 Aug 2022); £350.00.
Sometime, during 150-2 CE in the North Eastern corner of the Roman province of Britannia, a citizen was compelled to bury his pot of 522 denarii, equivalent in value to around £12,500 ($15,684.99) in modern-day currency. A substantial amount given that a Roman soldier would have been paid around 300 denarii per year. The coins were reportedly found in a possible crude cist inside a Roman greyware vessel (complete but broken, with interior staining from coins).
The Ropsley (Lincolnshire) Hoard 2018 (LANCUM-F93E5B) comprised denarii, from Mark Antony (32 BCE) to Faustina II (152 CE), but many were of Hadrian (117-38 CE). The silver hoard was found in Lincolnshire on 16th March 2018 by a metal detectorist, not far from the Roman town of Ancaster (Causennis) and Ermine Street, the Roman road connecting London to Lindum Colonia (Lincoln) and Eboracum (York).
What compelled the citizen to bury the hoard we can only imagine; was it for safekeeping while he headed to market in nearby Ancaster (Causennis), just a short trip up Ermine Street or had he been asked to head north and help with the trouble caused by the Caledonians near Hadrian’s Wall? Perhaps they were stolen by a mischievous slave who was then caught, sold and could never return to recover his loot. Who knows for certain, but these coins were not recovered, at least not in Roman times. Intriguingly, burnt charcoal fragments were also recovered by British Museum conservators and scientifically identified as willow.Serendipity
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Hadrian RIC-0243 Sestertius FelicitasRome mint, AD 119 - mid-120, Group 1b.
IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HA-DRIANVS AVG, Laureate head right with upper part of shoulders (though it is hard to tell if there are traces of drapery on far shoulder, due to the corrosion/die damage spot, this is unlikely as on most examples the drapery is visible by the neck-shoulder bend which is visible on this coin and shows no sign of drapery).
PONT MAX TR POT COS III, S-C, Felicitas standing, head left, holding short caduceus and cornucopia.
22.7 g; 32x34 mm; 6h.
This type represents happiness or joy (felicitas) and was likely struck in AD 120 in the lead up to Hadrian's quinquennalia the next year.
RIC II/3 243; Str. 530; BMC 1156.
Pick from "junk bin" of Austrian dealer.
SC
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Hadrian RIC-0244 Sestertius FelicitasRome mint, AD 119 - mid-120, Group 1b.
IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, Laureate nude bust right, trace of drapery on far (left) shoulder.
PONT MAX TR POT COS III, S-C, Felicitas standing, head left, holding short caduceus and cornucopia.
26.3 g; 32x32.5 mm; 6h.
This type represents happiness or joy (felicitas) and was likely struck in AD 120 in the lead up to Hadrian's quinquennalia the next year.
RIC II/3 244; Str. 530; BMC 1155.
Purchased from A. Kahlig, Vienna, ex. Rauch.
SC
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Hadrian RIC-2090 Dupondius/As FelicitasRome mint, AD 133 - 135, Group 11a.
HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP, Bare head right with trace of drapery on far (left) shoulder (A1).
FELICITAS AVG, Hadrian and Felicitas standing clasping hands. Hadrian, on left, in toga, holding scroll, Felicitas, on right, holding long caduceus. SC in exergue.
11.8 g; 24x25 mm; 7h.
With the disappearance of the radiate crown on the dupondius at around this time it is not possible to determine with any certainty whether a medium aes denomination coin like this is a dupondius or an as. However, this coin appears to be made of copper and is therefore likely an as.
This coin was struck to celebrate Hadrian's return to Rome in AD 133 from his tour of the Eastern part of the Empire. Relief and happiness at Hadrian's return is so great that Felicitas herself greets the newly returned Emperor. This coin was likely struck in the second half of 133. Note the scarce bare head on the obverse (not noted in RIC for this type, though the example illustrated on plate 157 is also bare-headed).
RIC II/3 2090; Str. 645; BMC 1586/7.
Picked from "junk bin" of Austrian dealer.SC
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Hadrian Silver DenariusHadrian (11 Aug 117 - 10 Jul 138 CE), Silver Denarius, Ropsley Hoard 21, RIC II 234d, RSC II 615, BMCRE III 608, Strack II 231, Hunter II -, SRCV I -, gEF, excellent portrait, well-centred and sharply struck on a tight flan, lightly toned, little wear, some hoard encrustations both sides, edge cracks, plain edge, weight 3.27g, composition Ag, diameter 18.0mm, thickness 2.62mm, die axis 210°, Rome mint, 134-8 CE; obverse HADRIANVS-AVG COS III P P, laureate head right; reverse FELICI-T-AS AVG (Happiness of the Emperor), Felicitas, draped, standing half-left, caduceus in right hand, olive branch in left; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Silbury Coins (15 Aug 2022); £350.00.Serendipity
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Home for Incurable Invalids (Jerusalem, Israel)AE token (formerly mounted on a bail), 19 mm., undated.
Obv: • HOME FOR INCURABLE INVALIDS • and IN JERUSALEM, along rim, FOR / GOOD LUCK / AND / HAPPINESS in four rows in center, above laurel leaves.
Rev: ×—×™ [Chai = life; numerically 18, in which number charitable donations are typically made in multiples] in center, laurel leaves along rim.
Ref: None known.
Note: Nothing is known about this institution.Stkp
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India, Gupta Empire, Chandragupta II, Gold Dinar, Archer TypeGupta Empire, Chandragupta II Vikramaditya, Gold Dinar, 7.75g, Archer type
The above coin of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya is a celebration of the exquisite and sublime skills of the artist who designed the die for this coin which demonstrates why the Gupta Age is called the golden period of Indian history. This time period saw all round development in science, astronomy, poetry, sculptor, metallurgy etc and coinage was no different with original coins bearing Indian motifs introduced by the Guptas.
The above coin is more of a tribute to the skills and artistry of the die engraver than the image that the coin itself bears. In the above coin, the die cutter has managed to achieve the following objectives simultaneously:
1. The features of the King is portrayed as extremely youthful. 'Chir-Yauvana' or Eternal Youth is an elixir that mankind, and more so the Ruler, has sought since time immemorial. This coin shows how the die cutter wishes the King to be remembered amongst his subjects and for posterity as a handsome youthful King.
2. The body of the King is lithe, supple, muscular and well proportioned. This complements and brings out the relative youthfulness of the King. I can almost visualize the thoughts running in the die engravers mind as he thinks of the message to be conveyed by this coin 'Hail the King, Glory be to Him, our benevolent King, our Protector, the Strong and Valiant Chandragupta'.
3. The King exudes an aura of energy, vigour and vitality even as he stands in the 'dvibhanga' pose (head and torso inclined to the right with lower limbs in opposite direction, a common feature applied in Indian sculptor and classical dance, especially Odissi). The King appears calm, composed and serene. This is a delicate balance that has admirably been achieved by the die cutter. You can actually sense the King trying to communicate with you and about to step out of the coin to hold your hand and draw you back into time.
4. The King holding a Bow in his left arm while drawing an Arrow from his right hand only accentuates the powerful image of the King as a young, energetic warrior who is well disposed and endowed with the bodily strength to overcome his enemies and detractors. Symbolically, the bow and arrow represent the female and male energy as also love and death-wish, respectively. It is well acknowledged that a person has manifestations of both the feminine and masculine aspects that reveal themselves interchangeably. The soft features of the King together with his slender frame accentuates the feminine aspect while the weapons of war amplifies his masculinity. The die engraver has blended these two concepts perfectly.
5. The swaying 'mudra' or pose of the standing King is a feature of Gupta coins to reflect the King as divine and higher than a mere mortal as a man's body is imperfect being straight, rigid and stiff. The graceful sway is achieved by giving a curve or twist at the neck (head) and waist (out thrust hips), the Dvibhanga pose, or the neck, waist and knee, the Tribhanga pose. This is done to reflect that the King's body is aligned alike to the statues of the Gods and Goddesses at the temple with which the common man can more closely associate the King's divinity. The die cutter has achieved this admirably.
6. Similarly, the image of the Goddess on the Reverse is slim and sensual without being erotic. The Goddess holds a flower by a short stalk in her upraised left arm, a 'pasa' or noose in her right hand and sits in the yogic 'Padmasana' posture atop a Lotus. It must be remembered that these symbols on the coin are a depiction of the iconographic manifestation of the ancient Hindu philosophy. The Lotus flower blooms amidst the muck and filth of muddy swamps and marshes and symbolizes man's ability to rise, similar to the Lotus flower, from the dark depths of ignorance and gain happiness with the beauty and radiance of spiritual knowledge. The open flowers of the Lotus that blossoms and spreads out signifies the Sun, an essential life nourishing source as well as the light that destroys ignorance and illuminates wisdom. The 'pasa' (noose or lasso) signifies an attachment to worldly matters as well as the capability of the God to capture evil and (blind) ignorance.
Its a pity we do not have any details of the die engravers name in the historical records but given the finesse and fine style achieved in executing the portrayal of the King on the coin, I am certain he must have been a person held in high esteem for his die engraving skills. Perhaps he may even have been the same person who was also the chief architect of the fabulous temples built during the reign of Gupta Kings.
All in all, this is a great masterpiece of the Gupta miniature art on a Gold Coin of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. It is my all time favourite coin simply because of the beautiful rendition of the Kings feature, body, posture and message it seeks to convey.mitresh
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Julia Domna 193-211 denariusOb. IULIA AVGVSTA Draped bust right
Rev. HILARITAS Hilaritas standing left, holding long palm and scepter
Ref. RIC 555, RSC 76, BMC 32
Rome Mint
IULIA AVGVSTA Julia is your Emperess
HILARITAS Joy to you all
Hilaritas is the personnification of happiness or rejoicing. She is usually seen with a long palm frond and either a sceptre or cornucopia. Sometimes seen with children especially if there has been a recent imperial birth
-:Bacchus:- Bacchus
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Julia Domna 193-211 denariusOb. IVLIA AVGVSTA Draped bust right
Rev. FELICITAS Felicitas standing, head left, holding short caduceus and long scepter
Ref. RIC 551, RSC 47, BMC 22
Felicitas is the personification of happiness and prosperity. Usually seen with a caduceus and a cornucopia or sceptre. Sometimes she is portrayed leaning on a column and sometimes seen sacrificing with patera and altar.
-:Bacchus:- Bacchus
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Julia Domna- HilaritasJulia Domna, Augusta 194 - 8 April 217 A.D.
IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right
Obverse:
IVLIA AVGVSTA
IVLIA: Julia
AVGVSTA: Augusta/ Empress
Reverse:
HILARITAS, the happiness of our empress
Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopia
That it is Hilaritas is a guess, the coin is worn.
Bronze AE 3, size 18 mm
Mint: official, Rome mint, 198 A.D, RIC # ?
Peter Wissing
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Julia Mamaea Denarius FelicitasOb. IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, diademed & draped bust right
Rev. FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing, head left, holding caduceus & resting arm on column
Ref. RIC 335
IVLIA MAMAEA AVG Julia Mamaea is your Augustae
FELICITAS PVBLICA Good happiness to you, the public
-:Bacchus:- Bacchus
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Julia Mamaea Felicitas RIC IVb 676Julia Mamaea, Orichalcum Sestertius, 14.8g, 27mm, 222 - 235 AD, RIC IV 676, BMCRE VI 487, Cohen IV 21, Hunter III 18, SRCV II 8228
OBV: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, wearing stephane, hair in horizontal ridges, with looped plait at the back of neck
REV: FELICITAS PVBLICA (to the good fortune / happiness of the public), Felicitas standing front, head left, raising caduceus in right,
legs crossed, leaning with left arm on column, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across
Niece of Septimius Severus, sister of Julia Soaemias, mother of Severus Alexander, cousin of Caracalla, aunt of Elagabalus.
Regent and Consort for and of Severus Alexander
SRukke
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Julian II 'The Philosopher' (as Augustus)361-363 AD
AE3 (19.8mm, 3.12g)
O: Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding shield and spear; DN FL CL JVLIANVS AVG.
R: VOT X MVLT XX in four lines within wreath; NIK[A] below.
Nicomedia mint, officina A.
RIC VIII Nicomedia, 123; ERIC II Julian 422; Elmer 132; Sear 4074v
Some smoothing, re-patinated.
ex Nemesis Ancients
"The end and aim of the Cynic philosophy, as indeed of every philosophy, is happiness, but happiness that consists in living according to nature, and not according to the opinions of the multitude. "
~ JulianEnodia
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Laetitia, the personification of gladness and happiness.Faustina Junior, wife of Marcus Aurelius. Augusta, 147-175/6 CE.
Æ As (25 mm, 8.6 gm), Rome mint, 161-175 CE.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, wearing circlet of pearls, hair in chignon behind.
Rev: LAETITIA SC, Laetitia standing right, holding scepter and wreath.
RIC-1657; Sear-5300; BMC-987; Cohen-152.
Laetitia personifies happiness, and as such, she resembles Hilaritas. There seems to be no set iconography for her and she has a variety of attributes: she may hold a scepter, ears of grain, a wreath, an anchor or a rudder on globe.
Jones (1990), p. 156, states that on the coins of empresses, Laetitia may signal a birth in the Imperial family.
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Marcus Aurelius / Salus168-169 AD
AR Denarius (17.5mm, 3.07g)
O: Laureate head right; M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXIII.
R: Salus standing left, feeding snake rising from altar from patera in right hand, long scepter vertical in left hand; SALVTI AVG COS III.
Minted 168-169
RIC III 207; RSC II 543; BMCRE IV 495; Hunter II 47; cf.SRCV II 4927 (TR P XXIIII)
ex Forvm Ancient Coins
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”Enodia
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National Association for the Jewish BlindAE token, 31.5 mm., undated.
Obv: ••••• NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ••••• and FOR THE JEWISH BLIND in border along rim, man and woman walking with a cane in center.
Rev: HAPPINESS / YOU / WILL FIND in three rows above heart and WHEN YOU HELP THE BLIND below heart along rim.
Ref: None known.
Note: No information is known about this organization.
Stkp
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PHILIP I as - 244-249 ADobv: IMP.M.IVL.PHILIPPVS.AVG (laureate head right)
rev: FELICITAS.TEMP / S.C. (Felicitas standing left with caduceus & cornucopiae)
ref: RIC169b, C.45
6.53gms, 21mm
Felicity's image occurs on almost all the imperial series coins: the senate professed to wish that all princes should consider it their duty to promote public happiness. Although this coin is worn enough, but it symbolises ’the happiness of the age’.berserker
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Rama V, King Chulalongkorn the Great (1853- 1910 AD), ThailandKing Rama V, AR, 1 baht, R.S. 126, 1907 AD, 31m, 14.9 g, Royal Mint: Bangkok. Obverse: head of Rama V facing L, King's "first" name (สมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาจุฬาลงกรณ์) above, his "last" name (พระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) below . Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Chulalongkorn--On the top of the coat of arms is the Great Victory Crown of Thailand, the most important royal regalia and the symbol of kingship. Under the crown is the symbol of the Royal House of Chakri, the King's royal family, which is a disc intersected with a trident. The royal multi-tiered umbrellas of state are also present on either side of the crown. To both sides of the coat of arms are the other regalia, the royal sword and the royal baton. In the background is the draped robe - either the Royal robe of the King or the robe of the Order of Chulachomklao - an order created by the King. The supporters are two mythical creatures, one is the Royal Lion, rajasiha, and the other is Elephant Lion, gaja-siha. The shield itself is partitioned into three parts, signifying the Thai part of the Kingdom (the 3-headed elephant) on the top, the Laotian suzerainty (another elephant), and the Malay suzerainty (two "kris", or Malayan short swords). The chain under the Arms is a necklace that is a part of the Order of Chulachomklao. The ribbon under the Arms is inscribed with the motto (in Pali, the language of the Buddhist canon) which may be translated as "Unity brings happiness." Khrueng Thep (กรุงสยาม--Bangkok) left, Rama V (รัชกาลที่) right, one baht (บาทหนึ่ง) below. RS 126 has the regnal date 40 over the 127; EF, Rare.
Rama V, King Chulalongkorn the Great (1853- 1910 AD); during his 42-year reign, King Chulalongkorn (the fifth king of the Chakri Dynasty) succeeded in establishing a government based on the western system, which ultimately paved the way for the present democracy. He reformed the rule of law, established a proper judicial system and introduced compulsory military service, improving the country's national defense. He introduced the Baht (still in use today) as the official currency and made taxes directly payable to the government, cutting out the corrupt middlemen. King Chulalongkorn also set up Siam's first hospital based on western medical practices, the first medical school and a nationwide education system.
The Thai Nation rightly reveres King Chulalongkorn. The preservation of Thailand's sovereignty and independence, in contrast to other Asian countries that capitulated to colonialism, was a direct result of his efforts. His skills of diplomacy abroad and ability to form a central government at home endeared him to the people. His reign was one of the most successful of any monarch in any country in the world and through his vision and leadership; a small, traditional Kingdom was transformed into a modern Nation at the heart of Asian affairs.
(http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/chulalongkorn_rama_5.html)
On his first enthronement, King Chulalongkorn issued a royal decree that all the people born during his reign would be born free; he had determined that slavery should eventually disappear from his realm. In order not to create a social upheaval suddenly, King Rama V took gradual measures to release slaves to freedom, and in 1905 he issued a law for the abolition of slavery. Thus the Thai people won freedom without any struggle.
The first public museum was established by King Rama V in 1880 at the Concordia Building inside the Grand Palace compound. Later, when the viceroy or Uparat position was replaced by the crown Prince position, the Palace of the Uparat or the Front Palace was vacant. In 1887 the museum was moved to the Front Palace and developed to be the National Museum.
In 1917, Siam (Thailand) opened its first university. It was named after this beloved King: Chulalongkorn University was referred to as "the Harvard of Asia" by President Bill Clinton of the United States.
Cleisthenes
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RIC 142 TitusÆ Sestertius, 27.89g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: FELICIT AVGVST; S C in field; Felicitas stg. l., with sceptre and cornucopiae
RIC 142 (C). BMC 157. BNC -.
Acquired from Holding History, eBay, March 2020. Ex Stephen Album, Auction 35, 12-14 September 2019, lot 532. Formerly in NGC holder #5768192-010, with grade VF, strike 4/5, surface 2/5.
In the late spring or early summer of 80 AD Rome suffered a disastrous fire and soon afterwards a devastating plague (perhaps typhus or smallpox). Suetonius tells us that the pestilence was 'unprecedented' and Eusebius claims 10,000 perished. Felicitas, the personification of happiness and prosperity, was greatly needed by both the emperor Titus and the Roman people. This coin struck sometime in 80 or 81 (Titus did not renew the consulship in 81) advertises her blessings through the emperor. This was a fairly popular type during the reign and likely was struck to ease any public anxiety over the recent tragedies. Despite being common, it is missing from the extensive Paris collection.
The left facing portraits struck in this bronze issue tend to be in a slightly finer style than the right facing ones. Perhaps there was one gifted engraver who preferred his portraits facing left?
David Atherton
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Silver Antoninianus of Gordian IIISilver Antoninianus of Gordian III minted in Rome between 241-243 AD. 23 mm, 4.5 g
Obverse: Gordian wearing a radiate crown, armor cuirass, and robe, with the inscription IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG = "Commander-In-Chief Gordianus, Pious and Fortunate Emperor".
Reverse: the goddess Laetitiae (Happiness) carrying a wreath and a long anchor, with the inscription LAETITIA AVG N = "The Happiness of Our Emperor".
Attribution: RIC 4c Gordian III 86chuy1530
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Taras, Calabria272 - 240/35 BC (Period VI)
AR Drachm (16mm, 3.09g, 3h)
Nikokrates magistrate.
O: Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with Skylla throwing stone.
R: Owl with closed wings standing right on Ionic capital, head facing; [NIKO]KPAT[HΣ] to left, TA to right.
D'Andrea XLII, 1425; Vlasto 1099 (this coin); SNG France 1951-52; SNG ANS 1324-25; HN Italy 1052
From the M.P. Vlasto Collection. ex CNG
Vlasto plate coin, #1099.
“Michel P. Vlasto was born in Athens on the 1st February 1874 and studied in Marseilles.
… He was a born artist and very good at drawing. His artistic feeling made him a real worshipper of Greek art; everything beautiful charmed him; if he could have done so a museum would have been his home. The real pleasure he felt in admiring a beautiful work of Greek art was so intense that he used to say he could not imagine life without Art and that Beauty and Happiness went together. As a result he could not feel happy unless he was surrounded by Beauty. The room where he used to spend most of his leisure was a kind of temple in which a few perfect specimens of Greek art were the idols he worshipped in a real religious way.
… But all these splendid surroundings were only the frame of the world famous collection of Tarentine coins which represented his chief interest in life and really his sole hobby. But he did not limit himself to collecting coins as most collectors do; he was a real self-made scholar; his knowledge of Tarentine numismatic was complete; there was not a single coin in a public or private cabinet which he did not know, and nothing was said or written about Tarentum, its history and its art which escaped him. He published several contributions to numismatics and many of his books are famous.”
~ Oscar E. Ravel (Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto - 1947)
Enodia
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Trajan FELICITAS AVGVSTTrajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate bust right, draped far shoulder
IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P
IMP: Imperator
TRAIANO: Trajan
AVG: Augustus
GER: Grmanicus
DAC: Dacicus (Honorary title for a Dacian victory)
P M: Pontifix Maximus, (Head of the priests)
TR P: Tribunicia Potestate, (The tribunician power, the emperor as civil head of the state.)
COS V P P : consul for the fifth time, Pater Patriae
Reverse:
FELICITAS AVGVST
The happiness of the emperor
FELICITAS: The happiness
AVGVST: Emperor
Felicitas with caduceus in right hand
Domination: Copper, size 19 mm.
Mint: Rom
Peter Wissing
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[906a]Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 Dec 192 A.D.COMMODUS AR silver denarius. RSC 190. RCV 5644. 16.5mm, 2.3g. F. Obverse: L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, bust of Commodus wearing lion skin in imitation of Hercules and Alexander the Great, facing right; Reverse: HER-CVL RO-MAN AV-GV either side of club of Hercules, all in wreath. RARE. Ex Incitatus.
This coin refers to Commodus' belief that he was Hercules reincarnated. According to the historian Herodian, "he issued orders that he was to be called not Commodus, son of Marcus, but Hercules, son of Jupiter. Abandoning the Roman and imperial mode of dress, he donned the lion-skin, and carried the club of Hercules..." (Joseph Sermarini).
De Imperatoribus Romanis:
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors
Commodus (A.D. 180-192)
Dennis Quinn
Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, the son of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his wife-cousin Faustina, was born in Lanuvium in 161 AD. Commodus was named Caesar at the age of 5, and co-Augustus at the age of 17, spending most of his early life accompanying his father on his campaigns against the Quadi and the Marcomanni along the Danubian frontier. His father died, possibly of the plague, at a military encampment at Bononia on the Danube on 17 March 180, leaving the Roman Empire to his nineteen-year-old son.[[1]] Upon hearing of his father's death, Commodus made preparations for Marcus' funeral, made concessions to the northern tribes, and made haste to return back to Rome in order to enjoy peace after nearly two decades of war. Commodus, and much of the Roman army behind him, entered the capital on 22 October, 180 in a triumphal procession, receiving a hero's welcome. Indeed, the youthful Commodus must have appeared in the parade as an icon of new, happier days to come; his arrival sparked the highest hopes in the Roman people, who believed he would rule as his father had ruled.[[2]]
The coins issued in his first year all display the triumphant general, a warrior in action who brought the spoils of victory to the citizens of Rome.[[3]] There is a great deal of evidence to support the fact that Commodus was popular among many of the people, at least for a majority of his reign. He seems to have been quite generous.[[4]]. Coin types from around 183 onward often contain the legend, Munificentia Augusta[[5]], indicating that generosity was indeed a part of his imperial program. Coins show nine occasions on which Commodus gave largesses, seven when he was sole emperor.[[6]] According to Dio, the emperor obtained some of this funding by taxing members of the senatorial class.[[7]] This policy of munificence certainly caused tensions between Commodus and the Senate. In 191 it was noted in the official Actus Urbis that the gods had given Commodus to Populus Senatusque Romanus. Normally the phrase Senatus Populusque Romanus was used. [[8]] While the Senate hated Commodus, the army and the lower classes loved him.[[9]] Because of the bad relationship between the Senate and Commodus as well as a senatorial conspiracy,[[10]] Rome "...was virtually governed by the praetorian prefects Perennis (182-185) and Cleander (186-9)."[[11]]
Commodus began to dress like the god Hercules, wearing lion skins and carrying a club.[[12]] Thus he appropriated the Antonines' traditional identification with Hercules, but even more aggressively. Commodus' complete identification with Hercules can be seen as an attempt to solidify his claim as new founder of Rome, which he now called the Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana. This was legitimized by his direct link to Hercules, son of Father Jupiter.[[13]] He probably took the title of Hercules officially some time before mid-September 192.[[14]]
While the literary sources, especially Dio, Herodian, and the Historia Augusta, all ridicule the antics of his later career, they also give important insight into Commodus' relationship to the people.[[15]] His most important maneuver to solidify his claims as Hercules Romanus was to show himself as the god to the Roman people by taking part in spectacles in the amphitheater. Not only would Commodus fight and defeat the most skilled gladiators, he would also test his talents by encountering the most ferocious of the beasts.[[16]]
Commodus won all of his bouts against the gladiators.[[17]] The slayer of wild beasts, Hercules, was the mythical symbol of Commodus' rule, as protector of the Empire.[[18]]
During his final years he declared that his age should be called the "Golden Age."[[19]] He wanted all to revel in peace and happiness in his age of glory, praise the felicitas Commodi, the glorious libertas, his pietas, providential, his victoria and virtus aeterna.[[20]] Commodus wanted there to be no doubt that this "Golden Age" had been achieved through his munificence as Nobilissimus Princeps. He had declared a brand new day in Rome, founding it anew in 190, declaring himself the new Romulus.[[21]] Rome was now to be called Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana, as noted above, and deemed "the Immortal," "the Fortunate," "the Universal Colony of the Earth."[[22]] Coins represent the archaic rituals of city-[re]foundation, identifying Commodus as a new founder and his age as new days.[[23]]
Also in 190 he renamed all the months to correspond exactly with his titles. From January, they run as follows: Lucius, Aelius, Aurelius, Commodus, Augustus, Herculeus, Romanus, Exsuperatorius, Amazonius, Invictus, Felix, Pius.[[24]] According to Dio Cassius, the changing of the names of the months was all part of Commodus' megalomania.[[25]] Commodus was the first and last in the Antonine dynasty to change the names of the months.
The legions were renamed Commodianae, the fleet which imported grain from Africa was called Alexandria Commodiana Togata, the Senate was deemed the Commodian Fortunate Senate, his palace and the Roman people were all given the name Commodianus.[[26]] The day that these new names were announced was also given a new title: Dies Commodianus.[[27]] Indeed, the emperor presented himself with growing vigor as the center of Roman life and the fountainhead of religion. New expressions of old religious thought and new cults previously restricted to private worship invade the highest level of imperial power.[[28]]
If Eusebius of Caesarea [[29]] is to be believed, the reign of Commodus inaugurated a period of numerous conversions to Christianity. Commodus did not pursue his father's prohibitions against the Christians, although he did not actually change their legal position. Rather, he relaxed persecutions, after minor efforts early in his reign.[[30]] Tradition credits Commodus's policy to the influence of his concubine Marcia; she was probably his favorite,[[31]] but it is not clear that she was a Christian.[[32]] More likely, Commodus preferred to neglect the sect, so that persecutions would not detract from his claims to be leading the Empire through a "Golden Age."[[33]]
During his reign several attempts were made on Commodus' life.[[34]] After a few botched efforts, an orchestrated plot was carried out early in December 192, apparently including his mistress Marcia. On 31 December an athlete named Narcissus strangled him in his bath,[[35]] and the emperor's memory was cursed. This brought an end to the Antonine Dynasty.
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alföldy, G. "Der Friedesschluss des Kaisers Commodus mit den Germanen," Historia 20 (1971): 84-109.
Aymard, J. "Commode-Hercule foundateur de Rome," Revue des études latines 14 (1936): 340-64.
Birley, A. R. The African Emperor: Septimius Severus. -- rev. ed.-- London, 1988.
________. Marcus Aurelius: A Biography. London, 1987.
Breckenridge, J. D. "Roman Imperial Portraiture from Augustus to Gallienus," ANRW 2.17. 1 (1981): 477-512.
Chantraine, H. "Zur Religionspolitik des Commodus im Spiegel seiner Münzen," Römische Quartalschrift für christliche Altertumskunde und für Kirchengeschichte 70 (1975): 1-31.
Ferguson, J. The Religions of the Roman Empire. Ithaca, 1970.
Fishwick, D. The Imperial Cult in the Latin West. Leiden, 1987.
Gagé, J. "La mystique imperiale et l'épreuve des jeux. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercaléenne," ANRW 2.17.2 (1981), 663-83.
Garzetti, A. From Tiberius to the Antonines. A History of the Roman Empire A. D. 14-192. London, 1974.
Grosso F. La lotta politica al tempo di Commodo. Turin, 1964.
Hammond, M. The Antonine Monarchy. Rome, 1956.
Helgeland, J. "Roman Army Religion," ANRW II.16.2 (1978): 1470-1505.
Howe, L. L. The Praetorian Prefect from Commodus to Diocletian (A. D. 180-305). Chicago, 1942.
Keresztes, P. "A Favorable Aspect of Commodus' Rule," in Hommages à Marcel Renard 2. Bruxelles, 1969.
Mattingly, R. The Roman Imperial Coinage. Volume III: Antoninus Pius to Commodus. London, 1930.
Nock, A. D. "The Emperor's Divine Comes," Journal of Roman Studies 37 (1947): 102-116.
Parker, H. M. D. A History of the Roman World from A. D. 138 to 337. London, 1935.
________. and B.H. Warmington. "Commodus." OCD2, col. 276.
Raubitschek, A. E. "Commodus and Athens." Studies in Honor of Theodore Leslie Shear. Hesperia, Supp. 8, 1948.
Rostovtzeff, M. I. "Commodus-Hercules in Britain," Journal of Roman Studies 13 (1923): 91-105.
Sordi, M. "Un senatore cristano dell'éta di Commodo." Epigraphica 17 (1959): 104-112.
Speidel, M. P. "Commodus the God-Emperor and the Army," Journal of Roman Studies 83 (1993): 109-114.
Stanton, G. R. "Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, and Commodus: 1962-1972." ANRW II.2 (1975): 478-549.
Notes
[[1]] For a discussion of the circumstances surrounding the death of Marcus Aurelius, see A. R. Birley, Marcus Aurelius: A Biography -- rev. ed. -- (London, 1987), 210.
Aurelius Victor, De Caes. 16.4, writing around the year 360, claimed Aurelius died at Vindobona, modern Vienna. However, Tertullian, Apol. 25, who wrote some seventeen years after Marcus' death, fixed his place of death at Sirmium, twenty miles south of Bononia. A. R. Birley (Marcus Aurelius, 209-10) cogently argues Tertullian is much more accurate in his general description of where Marcus was campaigning during his last days.
For the dating of Marcus Aurelius' death and the accession of Commodus, see M. Hammond, The Antonine Monarchy (Rome, 1956), 179-80.
[[2]] For the army's attitude toward peace, the attitude of the city toward the peace, and the reception of the emperor and his forces into Rome, see Herodian, 1.7.1-4; for Commodus' subsequent political policies concerning the northern tribes, see G. Alföldy, "Der Friedesschluss des Kaisers Commodus mit den Germanen," Historia 20 (1971): 84-109.
For a commentary on the early years of Commodus in the public perception as days of optimism, see A. Garzetti, From Tiberius to the Antonines. A History of the Roman Empire A. D. 14-192 (London, 1974), 530. For a more critical, and much more negative portrayal, see the first chapter of F. Grosso, La lotta politica al tempo di Commodo (Turin, 1964).
[[3]]The gods Minerva and Jupiter Victor are invoked on the currency as harbingers of victory; Jupiter Conservator on his coins watches over Commodus and his Empire, and thanks is given to divine Providence (H. Mattingly, The Roman Imperial Coinage. Volume III: Antoninus Pius to Commodus, [London, 1930] 356-7, 366-7). In 181, new coin types appear defining the new reign of Commodus. Victory and peace are stressed. Coins extol Securitas Publica, Felicitas, Libertas, Annona, and Aequitas (ibid., 357).
By 186 Commodus is depicted as the victorious princes, the most noble of all born to the purple. Herodian (1.5.5) describes how Commodus boasted to his soldiers that he was born to be emperor. See also H. Chantraine, "Zur Religionspolitik des Commodus im Spiegel seiner Münzen," Römische Quatralschrift für christliche Altertumskunde und für Kirchengeschichte 70 (1975), 26. He is called Triumphator and Rector Orbis, and associated with the Nobilitas of Trojan descent (Mattingly, RIC III.359; idem, Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum. Volume IV: Antoninus Pius to Commodus, [Oxford, 1940], clxii).
[[4]] Dio tells us that Commodus liked giving gifts and often gave members of the populace 140 denarii apiece (Cass. Dio, 73.16), whereas the Historia Augusta reports that he gave each man 725 denarii (SHA, Comm., 16.3).
[[5]]Mattingly, RIC, III.358.
[[6]] Idem., CBM, IV.clxxiv.
[[7]]Cass. Dio, 73.16.
[[8]]M. P. Speidel, "Commodus the God-Emperor and the Army," Journal of Roman Studies 83 (1993), 113.
[[9]]Mattingly, CBM, IV.xii. Commodus was also popular amongst the northern divisions of the army because he allowed them to wield axes in battle, a practice banned by all preceding emperors. See, Speidel, JRS 83 (1993), 114.
[[10]]Infra, n. 34.
[[11]] H. Parker and B.H. Warmington, OCD2, s.v. "Commodus," col. 276; after 189, he was influenced by his mistress Marcia, Eclectus his chamberlain, and Laetus (who became praetorian prefect in 191 (Idem.).
[[12]]Herodian, 1.14.8. Hadrian appears on medallions in lion skins; but as far as the sources tell us, he never appeared in public in them. See J. Toynbee, Roman Medallions,(New York, 1986), 208.
He would often appear at public festivals and shows dressed in purple robes embroidered with gold. He would wear a crown made of gold, inlaid with the finest gems of India. He often carried a herald's staff as if imitating the god Mercury. According to Dio Cassius, Commodus' lion's skin and club were carried before him in the procession, and at the theaters these vestiges of Hercules were placed on a gilded chair for all to see (Cass. Dio, 73.17). For the implications of the golden chair carried in procession in relation to the imperial cult, see D. Fishwick, The Imperial Cult in the Latin West, (Leiden, 1987-91 ), 555.
[[13]] H. M. D. Parker, A History of the Roman World from A. D. 138 to 337, (London, 1935), 34; For medallions that express the relationship between Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus extolling Hercules as a symbol of civic virtue, see Toynbee, Roman Medallions, 208. For a general statement on the symbolism of Hercules in the Antonine age, see M. Hammond, The Antonine Monarchy, 238.
For a discussion of Commodus' association with Hercules, see
Rostovtzeff, "Commodus-Hercules," 104-6.
Herodian spells out the emperor's metamorphosis in detail (1.14.8).
[[14]]See Speidel, "Commodus the God-Emperor," 114. He argues this general date because a papyrus from Egypt's Fayum records Hercules in Commodus' title on 11 October 192.
[[15]]For a preliminary example, Herodian writes (1.13.8), "people in general responded well to him."
[[16]]As Dio reports, Commodus, with his own hands, gave the finishing stroke to five hippopotami at one time. Commodus also killed two elephants, several rhinoceroses, and a giraffe with the greatest of ease. (Cass. Dio, 73.10), and with his left hand (ibid., 73.19). Herodian maintains that from his specially constructed terrace which encircled the arena (enabling Commodus to avoid risking his life by fighting these animals at close quarters), the emperor also killed deer, roebuck, various horned animals, lions, and leopards, always killing them painlessly with a single blow. He purportedly killed one hundred leopards with one hundred javelins, and he cleanly shot the heads off countless ostriches with crescent-headed arrows. The crowd cheered as these headless birds continued to run around the amphitheater (1.15-4-6; for Commodus' popularity at these brutal spectacles, see Birley, The African Emperor, 86) (and Dio tells his readers that in public Commodus was less brutal than he was in private [73.17ff]).
[[17]] According to Herodian (1.15-17), "In his gladiatorial combats, he defeated his opponents with ease, and he did no more than wound them, since they all submitted to him, but only because they knew he was the emperor, not because he was truly a gladiator."
[[18]]Webber, "The Antonines," CAH, XI.360.
[[19]]Cass. Dio, 73.15.
[[20]] Mattingly, RIC, III.361. For Commodus' propaganda of peace, see W. Webber, "The Antonines," CAH, XI.392.
[[21]] W. Webber, "The Antonines," CAH, XI.392-3. In 189 a coin type was issued with the legend Romulus Conditor, perhaps indicating he began the official renaming process during that year. For a discussion on Commodus as Romulus, see A. D. Nock, "The Emperor's Divine Comes," Journal of Roman Studies 37 (1947), 103.
[[22]] HA, Comm. 7.1; Cass. Dio, 73.15.
[[23]]Mattingly, RIC, III.361. See also, Webber, "The Antonines," CAH, XI.386.
[[24]]The title Felix is first used by the emperor Commodus, and is used in the titles of almost all successive emperors to the fifth century. See, D. Fishwick, The Imperial Cult in the Latin West (Leiden, 1987-91), 473.
HA, Comm., 12.315; Cass. Dio, 73.15; Herodian, I.14.9. These new names for the months seem to have actually been used, at least by the army, as confirmed by Tittianus' Altar. See M. P. Speidel, "Commodus the God-Emperor and the Army," Journal of Roman Studies 83 (1993), 112.
[[25]] Cass. Dio, 73.15.
[[26]]Legions:Idem.; the Grain fleet: SHA, Comm., 12.7. For a further discussion of Commodus' newly named fleet, see, A. Garzetti, From Tiberius to the Antonines, 547. For coins issued extolling the fleet, see Mattingly, CBM, IV.clxix; RIC, III.359; the Senate: Cass. Dio, 73.15; the Imperial Palace: SHA, Comm., 12.7; the Roman People: Ibid., 15.5.
[[27]]Cass. Dio, 73.15.
[[28]]Mattingly, CBM, IV.clxxxiv.
[[29]]Eusebius, Hist.Ecc., 5.21.1.
[[30]]For a discussion of the treatment of Christianity during the reigns of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus as well as persecutions during the reign of Commodus, see Keresztes, "A Favorable Aspect," 374, 376-377.
[[31]]Herodian, 1.16.4; Dio, 73.4. A Medallion from early 192 shows Commodus juxtaposed with the goddess Roma, which some scholars have argued incorporates the features of Marcia. See, Roman Medallions, "Introduction." Commodus was married, however, to a woman named Crispina. He commissioned several coins early in his rule to honor her.
[[32]]The Christian apologist Hippolytus tells that she was a Christian (Philos. 9.2.12), Dio tells that she simply favored the Christians (73.4). Herodian does not take a stand on the matter either way (1.16.4).
[[33]]Cass. Dio, 73.15. He pronounces Commodus' edict that his rule should be henceforth called the "Golden Age."
[[34]]H. Parker and B.H. Warmington note that Commodus..."resorted to government by means of favorites...which was exacerbated by an abortive conspiracy promoted by Lucilla and Ummidius Quadratus (182)." (OCD2, col. 276).
[[35]]Herodian, 1.17.2-11; Dio Cass., 73.22; SHA, Comm.,17.1-2.
Copyright (C) 1998, Dennis Quinn. This file may be copied on the condition that the entire contents, including the header and this copyright notice, remain intact. Used by Permission.
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
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