Ancients: Domitian Denarius (Under Titus)

vlaha · Feb 17, 2014

TIF said: ↑

I was just reading about this in Wayne Sales' book on Roman Provincials. Like so much else, I hadn't appreciated the significance of this "foundation iconography"-- it was just some guy working the field. In case some of you are also unfamiliar or interested, here is part of that passage (which he borrowed from an article by Kevin Ferguson):

"When it comes to the study of ancient history the Roman plough never appears to get much attention. It often is easier and more romantic to focus on the battles won and lost by the great general or the infamous emperor; rather than the lough and the poor fellow who walked behind it. There is nothing seductive about walking behind large farm animals while choking on dust, and occasionally stepping in dung; yet the Roman plough and ploughman need to be given a measure of respect for the place they hold in history. The Roman legion may have conquered the entire Mediterranean world, but it was the plough that helped to civilize it.

"The image of the ploughing colonist refers to the founding of a Roman colony, but perhaps even more significantly it represents Rome's ability to drive back the wilderness and domesticate the land in that particular region."

The passage goes on to describe an additional function of ploughing. The ploughman was in essence a surveyor, measuring out parcels as plowing progressed. 120 x 120 foot sections were furrowed to create a land unit known as an actus. "It was based on a line of 120 feet because that is how far the oxen could plough before they needed a rest".

So, the ploughman with ox(en) motif celebrates the establishment of a colony or province.
Click to expand...

Cool stuff TIF...maybe this time you could write a book report?

Eh, who am I kidding!

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TIF · Feb 17, 2014

vlaha said: ↑

Cool stuff TIF...maybe this time you could write a book report?

Eh, who am I kidding!
Click to expand...

I do believe a gauntlet was just thrown.

I'm reading three of Sayles's books right now, jumping back and forth. I'll stick to one of them and sum it up. Will probably be a week or two since there's the pesky work thing. And all the time spent trolling CT.

vlaha · Feb 17, 2014

TIF said: ↑

I do believe a gauntlet was just thrown.

I'm reading three of Sayles's books right now, jumping back and forth. I'll stick to one of them and sum it up. Will probably be a week or two since there's the pesky work thing. And all the time spent trolling CT.
Click to expand...

It wasn't a challenge, I was trying to goad you into sending me another book...oh did I just say that out loud? Snap.

Heh, JK dear coin sister.

chrsmat71 · Feb 17, 2014

that's awesome vlaha...and TIF.

Bing · Feb 17, 2014

Sorry I'm late to this "Domitian" party. Nice coin JT. Very nice. Here are two of my favorites from my collection:

DOMITIAN AE As
OBVERSE: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P, laureate head right, aegis at tip of bust
REVERSE: MONETA AVGVSTI, S-C, Moneta standing left, holding scales & cornucopiae
Struck at Rome, 85AD
11.7g, 27mm
RIC 384

DOMITIAN AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VIII Head laureate right
REVERSE: IMP XVII COS XIIII CENS P P P Minerva fighting right with spear and shield atop capital of rostral column, owl at her feet
Struck at Rome, 88-89 AD
3.55g, 18.44mm
RIC 657 (R )

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Ancients: Domitian Denarius (Under Titus)

vlaha Respect. The. Hat.

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TIF Always learning.

vlaha Respect. The. Hat.

chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

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Ancients: Domitian Denarius (Under Titus)

vlaha Respect. The. Hat.

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TIF Always learning.

vlaha Respect. The. Hat.

chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

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