I finally managed to find a decent specimen of this coin at the right price. The reverse shows the column of Antoninus Pius, erected after his death in 161 AD. Only the base of this column survives today and is displayed at the Vatican. Its my favorite example of Roman art, displaying the height of classicism on one side (the shown in the picture), while the other shows the rise of plebeian styles. Divus Antoninus Pius AE sestertius – 30mm Rome, 161 AD DIVVS ANTONINVS bare headed bust r. DIVO PIO [FONT="]column surmounted by statue of Antoninus Pius, holding eagle and sceptre, S C in fields[/FONT][FONT="] RIC III 1269 (Marcus Aurelius)[/FONT]
Yes, mostly because the Arch of Titus was made in the reign of Domitian, and the triumphal procession it depicts took place over a decade before. Imagine trying to draw, from memory, the details of Clinton's 2nd inauguration. Not easy, eh? :smile As the website says, the figure is a personification of the Campus Martius and the obelisk shown is that from Augustus' Horologium. Its intended to symbolically link the deified Antoninus with the deified Augustus.
Yeah - thats what they say. They say different things in Times Square... They are missing the kynodesme Ruben
Oh don't go in with all that phallic symbolism bullcrap. There is absolutely no reason to display that sort of symbolism on a funerary monument! In classical style, as this is an example of, fertility was more often a feminine virtue anyway!
Great find Ardatirion, it allways feels good when you finaly find one that you have been after for a while :high5:
Very cool. My favorite emperor, I would say it was the golden age of Rome...An enlightened emperor with a high classical education and progressive ruling style who worked to restore Roman buildings, Rome is at its height, generally peaceful and prosperous, treason trials are rare...I had a chance to see this along with the old forum, the bath houses of Caracalla, Trajans column, pretty much everything. all mostly intersperse inside a modern city.
Interesting history to go with the coin, thanks for sharing. I do remember seeing Trajan's column but not this pillar base, definitely on the list to see if I go again.
Thanks for posting that Ardatirion! I collect ancients and I'm especially fond of coins that can be directly related to a very specific place, object or event in history. Just like the one you posted. Also, I wasn't even aware of that pillar base. It's spectacular! I'm off to Google it.
