Public Domain image, C. Comiers, "Pratique Curieuse", 1735. The Sibylline books were consulted by Romans from the time of the republic through to the end of the Empire. The books were destroyed with the temple of Jupiter in 83 BC, but a copy was found and arbitrated. Augustus moved them to temple of Apollo in 12 BC. There are many references to these books over time, here are just three for illustration. Livy writes of the books being consulted in 399 BC after bout of pestilence: “As neither a cause nor a cure could be found for its fatal ravages, the senate ordered the Sibylline Books to be consulted.” - Livy 5.13 This resulted in a lectisternium being set up for the first time i.e. a couch (pulvinar) for images of the gods to recline with a meal served to them on a table. Seutonius reports that rumors about Julius Caesar’s desires to be king were fueled by a Sibylline prophesy. “it was written in the books of fate that the Parthians could be conquered only by a king” -Seutonius, Julius Caesar, 79.3 Marcellinus writes that Julian the Apostate consulted the books before marching against the Sassanids in AD 363. “Just at that time it was reported to him by letter, that at Rome the Sibylline books had been consulted about this war, as he had ordered, and had given the definite reply that the emperor must not that year leave his frontiers.” -Marcellinus, XXIII.1.7 Where did these books come from? According to Roman tradition, they came from the Sibyl of Cumae who got them from Erythrae, and they came there from Gergis. Pausanias tells of the Sibyl named Herophile who lived in Samos and known to the inhabitants of Marpessus, a village near Gergis. This "Trojan Sibyl" is the source of the books that eventually made their way to Rome. The Sibylline books come to Rome Lucius Tarquinus Superbus was the legendary 7th king of Rome, who was eventually overthrown and replaced with two consuls. According to the account of Gellius the Cumaean Sibyl offered the books three time to King Tarquin for a high price. After each refusal she burned 3 of the 9 books, so that King Tarquin finally relented and bought the last 3 for the original full price. Where is Gergis? Gergis, Troas is in the Northwestern corner of what is today modern Turkey, that juts into the Aegean Sea. CC image linked from Corpus Nummorum And the coin? The coin is from the original location of the Sibylline books. I find this coin a challenge to photograph. While not completely dissatisfied with the result, it is one that I will say is nicer in hand. Perhaps this is the result of the magnification on a small coin like this and too much glare from the lighting. Troas, Gergis, circa 350-300 BC, Æ (12mm, 1.72g, 6h) Obv: Head of Sibyl Herophile facing slightly right, wearing laurel wreath and pendant necklace Rev: Sphinx seated right, ΓEP downwards to right Ref: Corpus Num 24374; Traite des Monnaies Plate CLXVI.14 As always, comments, corrections and additional references are appreciated. Share your coins of Troas, Sibyls, sphinxes or anything else that your find interesting or entertaining.
What a great and simple write-up, thanks! and the coin is very cool. No worries on photo, I see it fine! Great job, @Sulla80 I have a few from Troas: Troas Tenedos late 5th-early 4th C BCE AR Obol 8mm 0.60g Janiform hd female-male - Labrys within incuse square SNG Ash 1235 HGC 6 387 Troas Birytis 350-300 BCE Æ 9mm1.21g Hd Kabeiros L pileos - two stars above Club within wreath SNG Cop 249 Left TROAS Neandria AR Obol 4thC BCE 0.56g 8mm Laur hd Apollo r - NEA N Ram stdng right within incuse sq SNG Cop 446
Great coins as always, @Alegandron, the janiform head and double axe is particularly nice. Impressive detail and depth for a 0.60g coin. Thanks Andres2, Collier painting is great with the vapors emerging from the open crack. As there is often (always?) a Sulla connection when it comes to Rome, it appears that during the time of Sulla, the number of "keepers of the books" was expanded from 10 to 15 and the Decemviri sacris Faciundis became the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis.[see Smith]
Yes! I love the history behind those books! Finally someone I can relate to. Have you read meditations yet? I just finished it yesterday.
Given it is Father's Day: "In my father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation; and no vainglory in those things which men call honours; and a love of labour and perseverance; and a readiness to listen to those who had anything to propose for the common weal; and undeviating firmness in giving to every man according to his deserts; and a knowledge derived from experience of the occasions for vigorous action and for remission." -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Nice example, and excellent writeup, as usual. Mine, which has unfortunately rather poxy surfaces, is the same design, but a larger module. TROAS, Gergis AE16. 3.58g, 16.3mm. TROAS, Gergis, circa 350-241 BC. SNG Cop 339-340 var. (rev monogram); BMC Troas p. 55, 5-6 var (same); SNG v. Aulock 1514 var (same). O: Three-quarter facing head of Sibyl Herophile turned slightly right, wearing laurel wreath and pendanted necklace. R: Sphinx seated right, ΓΕΡ to right, KE monogram (Kebren?) to left, [grain ear] in exergue. This Republican issue by T. Carisius is usually described as showing the head of the Sibyl Herophile on the obverse, but some suggest that it may just depict the head of the Sphinx. ROMAN REPUBLIC AR Denarius. 3.93g, 18mm. Rome mint, 46 BC. T. Carisius, moneyer. Crawford 464/1; Sydenham 983. O: Female head (Sibyl Herophile or Sphinx) right, hair elaborately decorated with jewels and enclosed in a sling and tied with bands. R: T.CARISIVS, Sphinx seated right; III.VIR in exergue. Ex Mikey Zee Collection
Thanks for sharing, inherently I want to give names to these coins when there are clearly different sizes - and the coins I can find in ACSearch all seem to fit a pattern of bronzes based on the tetradrachm: Tetrachalkon 4X (this coin @ 7.35g ~19mm) Dichalkon 2X (your coin @ 3.58g ~16mm) Chalkous 1 (my coin? @ 1.72g ~12mm) Hemichalkon 1/2X (this coin @0.82g ~9mm) chalkous just meaning "bronze coin" I do like this coin, a lot! Mine is Bust Nose Sphinx Star - without Hand Spain, Castulo, mid-2nd century BC, Æ Unit, As Obv: Diademed male head right Rev: Sphinx advancing right; star to right
I looked up the attribution on mine. It is: "Talk to the Hand, and the face ain't listnin!" Or, something like that.
