An Elephant Quadriga

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Jul 24, 2019.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Every once in a while a coin comes along that really excites me ... this is one such coin! The scene of the living emperor in a quadriga drawn by elephants had to have been a sight to behold - if indeed it ever happened! Perhaps Domitian's mint master at Alexandria believed this fanciful reverse type would please the fragile ego of the emperor. He was a mint administrator who knew which way the wind blew.


    RPC2721.jpg

    Domitian
    Æ Drachm, 19.56g
    Alexandria mint, 95-96 AD
    RPC 2721 (11 spec.).
    Obv: AVT KAI C ΘEOY YIOC ∆OMIT CEB ΓEPM; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
    Rev: No legend; Emperor in quadriga of elephants r., holding branch of laurel and sceptre; upon elephant's heads Nike r., holding wreath and palm; date LIE in exergue
    Ex Forvm Ancient Coins, July 2019.

    The Alexandrian mint under Domitian around regnal year 10 or 11 experienced a 'dramatic improvement in style' and the 'adoption of a wide range of new types' (Milne). One of those new types was the flamboyant scene of Domitian in a quadriga drawn by four elephants struck for the drachm. This type is unique to Alexandria and does not show up elsewhere in the Flavian numismatic canon. However, the Arch of Titus once supported a bronze sculpture depicting such a scene and the Arch of Domitian described by Martial had two elephant quadrigae. Pompey the Great was the first Roman to employ an elephant quadriga in his triumph of 61 BC. The elephants were too big to fit through one of the gates leading up to the Capitol and they had to be switched out with a team of horses. The ancient authors thought it 'a piquant warning of the dangers of divine self-aggrandizement.' (M. Beard). Yet, by the Flavian era the elephant quadriga was seen as a powerful symbol of triumphal glory - although, there is no evidence that Domitian ever rode in an elephant quadriga in any of his triumphs. After Hadrian's reign, the elephant quadriga on the coinage was soley the realm of the imperial Divi and not the living emperor.

    Please post your triumphal and/or Alexandrian coins.

    Sorry @TIF, I couldn't pass this one up.
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2019
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. SeptimusT

    SeptimusT Well-Known Member

    Awesome coin! I have a similar one, I think the same issue but I don't have time to check right now. I think yours has a bit more detail. Feels great in the hand.

    Domitian Drachm Elephants.jpg
     
  4. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    That is awesome, & I counted 16 legs (no, I didn't count the trunks :smuggrin:)...wow!
    I gotta find one!
     
    David Atherton and Clavdivs like this.
  5. Alegandron

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

    Super coin @David Atherton ! It would be an amazing sight to see 4 elephants yanking a carriage! Great job capturing this beauty. Congrats.

    Sulla Triumph


    [​IMG]
    RR Manlius Torquatus L. Corn Sulla 82 BCE AR den 17mm 3.7g Mil mint w Sulla. Roma - Sulla triumphal quadriga vict wreath Cr 367-3 Syd 759 S 286


    Elephant Quadrigatus

    [​IMG]
    Seleukid Seleukos I 312-280 BCE AR Tet 14.46g Seleucia on Tigris. Zeus - Athena driving a quadriga of 4 horned elephants SC 130


    Alexandria

    [​IMG]
    RI Antoninus Pius 138-161 BCE BI Tet Alexandria Egypt Dikaiosyne Scale
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2019
  6. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coin David.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  7. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    What a lovely coin, congratulations!
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  8. jamesicus

    jamesicus Well-Known Member



    [​IMG][​IMG]
    AUGUSTUS/TIBERIUS, SESTERTIUS, RIC, Vol. I, Rome, No. 68, AD 36-37
    Cataloged in Wildwinds under Augustus - Sear 1784
    Cataloged in BMCRE under Tiberius - No. 126
    Obverse depiction: Augustus, radiate, togate, holding laurel branch in r. hand and long sceptre in l., seated on throne, placed on a car, drawn l. by four elephants, each bearing a mahout on its neck. The side of the car is ornamented with shields.
    Inscription across top in three lines DIVO AVGVSTO SPQR
    Reverse depiction: Large, centered S C
    Inscription clockwise from top: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXIIX
     
  9. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Very nice!! I don't have a Domitian elephant quad but have this Trajan:

    [​IMG]
    EGYPT. Alexandria. Trajan
    AE drachm, 32.3 mm, 19.8 gm
    Regnal year 14 (110/11 CE)
    Obv: AYT TPAIANC EBΓEPM∆AKIK; laureate bust right, with aegis on left shoulder
    Rev: Trajan, laureate, wearing a toga and holding an eagle-tipped sceptre and branch, standing in an elephant quadriga right; LIΔ above.
    Ref: Emmett 462.14; Dattari-Savio Pl. 31, 766 (this coin); RPC 4510.3 (this coin)
    ex Dattari collection (Giovanni Dattari, 1858-1923)

    Here'a a Domitian centaur biga. I'm not sure what it is supposed to signify but it looks triumphal.

    [​IMG]
    EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian

    RY 14 (CE 94/5)
    Æ drachm, 36 mm, 25.42 gm
    Obv: Laureate head right
    Rev: The Emperor driving biga of centaurs right., raising hand and holding scepter and reins; in exergue, L IΔ
    Ref: Dattari-Savio Pl. 17, 453 (this coin); Geissen 406 (this coin cited); RPC 2704 (this coin cited)
    ex Dattari collection (Giovanni Dattari, 1858-1923)
     
  10. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Wow, David, what an amazing reverse on that coin. Congrats on adding such an interesting coin.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  11. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Yes, from the same issue. Nice example!
     
  12. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Your biga of centaurs, although not strictly a triumphal type, is indeed triumphal in nature. Perhaps it's equating Domitian with Hercules? A fantastic coin!
     
  13. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    @David Atherton you've had quite a year with white whales! Was this a type you knew about and was looking for or one that surprised you?
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  14. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    I knew of the type beforehand, but despaired of ever acquiring one since they rarely show up in trade. The surprise was having an opportunity to purchase it!
     
    Jwt708 likes this.
  15. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Thanks, I was curious!
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  16. Multatuli

    Multatuli Homo numismaticus

    No elephants, but am interesting triumphal Ant Pi Drachm:
    2BDCDA6E-B414-4F29-AB9E-282C58B7B485.jpeg
    Dattari 2847, RY LZ (year 7)
     
  17. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    This also comes in Hadrian. Mine s really worn but boldly year two.
    pa0220bb0471.jpg
     
  18. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio Supporter

    galba68, Pellinore, Multatuli and 6 others like this.
  19. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Wow, there are some great coins in this thread.
     
    galba68, Multatuli and PlanoSteve like this.
  20. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    And here is just one
    Q. CAECILIUS METELLUS PIUS 2.jpg
    Q. CAECILIUS METELLUS PIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CAECILIA
    AR Denarius
    OBVERSE: Diademed head of Pietas right; stork standing right before
    REVERSE: Q C M P I beneath elephant walking left w/bell hanging from neck
    Northern Italy, 79 BC-77 BC
    3.75g; 18mm
    Caecilia 43; Crawford 374/1; Syd 750; Sear 301
     
  21. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    That's because he ate the other one...look at the size of that thing! I like the prominent tusk.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page