While researching the image of Tanit, the worship of whom first became popular in the Tyrian colony of Carthage, I noticed a connection to Spain and elsewhere. Said worship could have begun in relation to Phoenician deity Astarte ( Ishtar ). A shrine dedicated to Tanit was excavated at Sarepta, Southern Phoenicia. A relationship between the two deities is hyposthatic, meaning two aspects of the same goddess. Statue of Tanit with lions head Phoenicians spread the cult of Tanit – Astarte to the Iberian Peninsular, Spain today.Her worship was maintained after the Roman conquest where she was integrated with the roman goddess Juno.Her symbol is found on many ancient stone carvings, more on the Island of Ibiza than anywhere else. IMAGE OF STONE CARVING This brings us to The Indalo, called Indal eccius ( messenger of the gods ) in the Iberian language. IMAGE OF INDALO The symbol, a prehistoric magical symbol, was discovered in a cave called Los Letreros in Almeria, Southern Spain, and dates back to 2500 BC. It was adopted as the official symbol of the Province of Almeria. Many people wear it as a charm or necklace for good luck, although it is believed beneficial only when it has been presented as a gift. The American Indigenous Rights organisation Cultural Survival also uses an Indalo symbol on its logo. Post your Iberian, Carthaginian, Phoenician coins or anything vaguely related
I don’t own any Punic coins yet. However, I do own a Roman Imperial denarius depicting the goddess Tanit. By the time my coin was minted, Tanit was renamed Dea Caelestis. Tanit/Dea Caelestis was depicted on the denarii of Septimius Severus and Caracalla. Septimius Severus was from North Africa, hence the depiction of a Punic goddess on a Roman denarius. RIC 130a, Very Fine+, 19.6mm, 3.61 grams, Struck Circa. 201 - 206 C.E., Rome Mint Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG around laureate and draped, youthful bust of Caracalla to right Reverse: Dea Caelestis riding on lion to right over waters gushing from rock, thunderbolt in right hand and scepter in left, INDVLGENTIA AVGG around, IN CARTH in exergue
Generally, the coins depicting Dea Caelestis show the goddess holding a lightening bolt such as yours, but some depict her holding a drum. The drum version is the rarer of the two.
