The idea was that the emperor was dragging the barbarian out of the woods of savagery into the light of civilization. Hypocritical propaganda? Perhaps. Roman? 100%
hey this is nice also, and i didn't know about it someone tipped me off yesterday... http://www.tesorillo.com/aes/home.htm welcome to ancients no cents!
The Antioch mint did a exceptionally fine job with this type. Here is a coin of Constans, where the captive doesn't look like a prisoner at all, but like a small child being led by the gallant emperor. The Romans were masters of this kind of propaganda. The legend of the reverse reads FEL TEMP REPARATIO, or loosely translated: happy times are here again.
I've read a few places that Gladiator-style arena fighting eventually came to a full close at the end of the 4th century. But that's beside the point...it was more or less a loose comparison and was not to be taken seriously.
Btw, if you're looking for a very comprehensive and completely free introduction to ancient collecting, try studying Doug Smith's pages at FORVM... http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/ Learn all of that stuff and your journey toward the dark side will be complete!
Pretty Ike is an oxymoron Originally Posted by medoraman Gone whole hog into ancients now have we? I understand how it is possible to have interest in ancients and still buy a pretty Ike when you see one. Here is a recent purchase of mine:
I wanted one of the characteristically blue-hazed brown box Ikes, but I wanted it in a PCGS slab to help preserve the color over time. I'm not a big fan of airtites...
Alright, let's try to stay on-topic here. Here is another which looks like an Emperor Dragging Captive that I am cleaning off.
Yes. Btw, this is a different type than the Fel Temp posted earlier. THe Fel Temp issues came in many styles, one of them being Emperor dragging barbarian from burning house. Yours is more Emperor dragging, (leading), barbarian (to civilization). Different intents and meanings to the reverses. Many of these had Chi Ro on the banner, so the message was the good Christian emperor is leading barbarians to Christianity. The fel Temp issue was meaning we will burn barbarian's village and take them away into slavery basically.