''Domitian firmly believed in the traditional Roma Religion, and personally saw to it that ancient customs and morals were observed throughout his reign. In order to justify the divine nature of the Flavian rule, Domitian emphasized connections with the chief deity Jupiter, perhaps most significantly through the impressive restoration of the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. A small chapel dedicated to Jupiter Conservator was also constructed near the house where Domitian had fled to safety on 20 December 69. Later in his reign, he replaced it with a more expansive building, dedicated to Jupiter Custos'' The goddess he worshipped the most zealously, however, was Minerva. Not only did he keep a personal shrine dedicated to her in his bedroom, she regularly appeared on his coinage—in four different attested reverse types—and he founded a legion, Legio I Minerva, in her name.'' Domitian's affection for Minerva is thought to have been associated with the fact that just as Minerva was the third deity in the triad of the gods after Jupiter and Juno, so was he also third in line after his father Vespasian and his brother Titus in the Flavian dynasty. This sestertius in my collection illustrates Domitian's association with the goddess Minerva. Domitianus, 81-96. Æ-Sestertius, 85, Rome. Obv: Laureate bust left. Rev: The emperor stands veiled, sacrificing with patera over altar. Temple of Minerva in the background. BMC 332; Coh. 492; RIC 283. Post your Coins of Domitian showing the Goddess Minerva!
DOMITIAN 81 - 96 A.D. AV Aureus (7.43 g.). Rome 84 A.D. RIC 195 IMP CAES DOMI - TIANVS AVG GERMANIC Laureate and draped bust l. Rev. P M TR POT III - IMP V COS X P P Helmeted and draped bust of Minerva r. I've always thought Minerva's portrait has a bit of a Greek chin on this coin.
Very nice Domitian/Minerva bronze @Eduard ! Great find. I actually HAVE a couple Domitian / Minerva, however as an AR Denarius: RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva spear shield COS XVI CENS PPP RIC 719 RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva thunderbolt spear shield protruded chin COS XV CENS PPP RIC 726
Nice ... sweet OP-coin, Eduard Yah, I still only have one example of this fella ... => "Dom, the Bomb"
Thank you all for your comments, and for posting your Minerva's. It is really interesting just how many reverse Minerva types exist for Domitians's denarii: Minerva facing right or left, With and without owl at her feet, Winged Minerva's...Issues struck very late at the end of his reign. I am sure one could assemble a meaningful sub-collection just focusing on the varieties of this beautiful type.
I LOVE that OP reverse!! WOW!! All very nice posts and a few truly extraordinary examples! Mine is a bit more 'pedestrian'. I'll add this sestertius with Minerva:
