Domitian and the Goddess Minerva

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Eduard, Mar 19, 2017.

  1. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    ''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 Sestertius-Minerva-Obv - 1.jpg Domitian Sestertius-Minerva-Rev - 1.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017
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  3. IdesOfMarch01

    IdesOfMarch01 Well-Known Member

    Cd - Domitian AV aureus.jpg

    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.
     
  4. ro1974

    ro1974 Well-Known Member

    Wow topic start good great coins:happy:
     
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  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Very nice, Edward, never seen that reverse before.
     
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  6. gregarious

    gregarious E Pluribus Unum

    nice! i have two coins of Domitian, both are showing Minerva (i think) ) Domitian dupondius, denarius 001.JPG Domitian dupondius, denarius 002.JPG Domitian dupondius, denarius 005.JPG Domitian dupondius, denarius 004.JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017
  7. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    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.jpg
    RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva spear shield COS XVI CENS PPP RIC 719


    upload_2017-3-19_11-2-16.png
    RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva thunderbolt spear shield protruded chin COS XV CENS PPP RIC 726
     
  8. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Because he liked Minerva so much, there are many around of this denarius me think.

    P1160728.JPG
     
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  9. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    very special OP coin never seen it .
    congrats
     
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  10. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Nice coins all.
    Domitian 6.jpg Domitian 3.jpg Domitian 5.jpg Domitian 7.jpg Domitian 8.jpg
     
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  11. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    Great looking sestertius, neat reverse with the temple!

    i only have this vanilla denarius....

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Carausius

    Carausius Brother, can you spare a sestertius?

    Domitian/Minerva denarius from my "Imperial" collecting days.

    roman40obv.jpg roman40rev.jpg
     
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  13. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Very nice!
     
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  14. ro1974

    ro1974 Well-Known Member

    _DSC6r968.jpg
    My only one Domitian miverva sesterties lefthead
     
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  15. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Nice ... sweet OP-coin, Eduard

    Yah, I still only have one example of this fella ...

    => "Dom, the Bomb"


    domitiana.jpg domitianb.jpg
     
  16. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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.
     
  17. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    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:
    Domitian sestertius romwe with Minerva.jpg
     
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  18. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    Nothing 'pedestrian' at all about your Sestertius, Mikey.
    It is lovely.
     
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