Gordian III and The Battle of Rhesaena

Not the best for the issue but I liked this Tarsos Cilicia type Gordian III for the size (36mm, 22.1gms) and subject matter.

Obv: AVT KAI M ANTΩNIOC ΓOPΔIANOC CЄB / Π - Π. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: TAPCOV MHTPOΠOΛЄΩC A M K / Γ - B. Herakles standing facing, head left, holding club and apples of Hesperides; serpent-entwined tree to left

 

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Here are two recent acquisitions of Gordian III , Antoninianus with reverse of Gordian sacrificing over an altar, and Sestertius with reverse of Gordian advancing with spear...

 

Great post, very interesting I learn something every day here on CT.

Nikopolis ad Istrum, Gordian III
Roman Provincial, Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Gordian III (238-244 AD) � 27 (12.43g) Sabinius Modestus, legatus consularis., City Gate, Obv.: Laureate and draped bust right. Rev.: Arched gate flanked by two roofed towers with arched windows in uppermost story. Varbanov 4182.HrHJ (2018) 8.36.46.1. Moushmov 1496 Rare! NGC XF.

 

Spaniard, That's a lovely radiate with attractive toning enhancing the features !

 

Mike, That's an interesting & scarce coin that give a short glimpse into an unusual chapter of history .

 

Brian, That's a lovely & "showy" provincial bronze illustrating the 11th Labor of Hercules ! A very scarce coin I'm sure .

 

octavius, Those are two very handsome coins . The sestertius is a real gem & shows the high level of engraving wasn't lost from the Rome Mint during the reign of Gordian III .

 

A. Aussie, What a wonderful coin ! Specialist collectors of architectural types would do back-flips to get a coin like this .

 

I think my most interesting Gordie is this interesting issue of Odessos, a place that I'd never heard of before obtaining this coin.

The reverse type portraying what I believe to be the "Boarium Herakles" statuary type is really neat!

 

I’ve always been interested in learning more about Gordian’s tomb or memorial near Circesium. Ammianus Marcellinus reported that Julian visited and sacrificed at his tomb/memorial during his Persian campaign. I don’t think it has ever been found.

Here’s a quick read on it:
https://www.academia.edu/4116180/The_Sepulcrum_Gordiani_at_Zaitha_and_Its_Significance

 

Yes, not only a beginning of Moustache but a beginning of sideburns too! Philippus paid an expensive peace treaty after he murdered Gordian and was celebrated () on the following radiate from Antioch mint. PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS.

 

I just read Christian Körner´s 2001 monography "Philippus Arabs - Ein Soldatenkaiser in der Tradition des antoninisch-severischen Prinzipats" which after a lengthy discussion favours the Sasanian version that Gordian died in battle and was not murdered.


IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind /
P M TR P V COS II P P S C - Gordian III, in military attire, advancing right, holding transverse spear and globe
Sestertius, Rome 242 (10th emission of Gordian III)
29,81 mm / 20,61 gr / 2 h
RIC 307a, Cohen 267, Banti 75 (19 specimens), Sear 8731 var(TRP IIII), Brown (The Coinage of Gordian III) p. 7, Issue 4(b)

 

hotwheels, Indeed this is an interesting coin . I too was unfamiliar with Odessos. Wikipedia lists two locations for the city, one in Bulgaria & the other in Ukraine . The image of Boarium Herakles is an impressive gilded bronze statue . Your coin appears to depict Herakles holding a loin's skin on his left hand, something not seen on the statue. Maybe your coin was inspired by the statue with the engraver adding the lion's skin to make it more complete ?

 

O.J. Thanks for sharing that interesting link . It does seem odd that Gordian's remains were not returned to Rome for burial since he was held in such high esteem. I wondered where his remains ended up but never pursued it. His death still remains a mystery. As Julius Germanicus points out, the Persians reported that Gordian died in battle & wasn't murdered. If that was the case what fostered the rumors that Philip I instigated his assassination ? If Gordian did die in battle that would certainly add to his heroic status. On the other hand, if he did die in battle wouldn't you expect Philip & other praetorians to have perished trying to protect him ?

 

Roma, Thanks for posting that handsome radiate of Philip I. It is unfortunate that Philip took any credit for his part in the war with Persia . His cowardly "buyout" to end the war was shameful.

 

Julius Ger., If my German language was better I'd enjoy reading that book too .

 

Gordian III's grandfather, Gordian I, who was almost 80 years old when he become emperor for a short time. He committed suicide when he heard that his son, Gordian II, had died in battle.



Gordian II was Gordian III's uncle. Gordian III's mother was his sister. Gordian II was a very learned man who had a large library. He was also quite the ladies' man who had many mistresses.

 

John, Thanks for posting these two rare radiates ! Both are handsome coins. How did NGC grade your Gordian II radiate ?

 

Al, turns out Boarium Bro has a twin, who does have a lion skin!


This one is really tough to find on Google for some reason.

 

hotwheels, Thanks for posting this bronze, it's the more typical representation of Hercules, & looks more like the reverse of your coin .