Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="GinoLR, post: 24855138, member: 128351"]Thanks for the article, it's very interesting for me (I was just working on the Rex Aretas reverse, compared with the Arabia adquisita reverses of Trajan). For me, the kneeling character on Roman coins is never an enemy, but a friend. Bocchus king of Mauretania was never Rome's enemy, but he obtained the status of "amicus et socius Populi Romani". Aretas III king of the Nabataeans did not fight against the Romans - or, at least, there is no source telling he did. It's the opposite: he is known for having been pro-Roman from the beginning and his successors always supported the Romans with auxiliary troops (under Vespasian, for ex.). Bacchius the Jew is a mystery : who is he? Perhaps Antipater, Herod the Great's father. We know Antipater and especially Herod were among Rome's staunchest allies. This kneeling attitude extending branch (symbol of peace) means specifically : "Friend and Ally of the Roman People". When we see under Augustus the Parthian in the same attitude, extending a Roman standard, it should mean a treaty with the Parthians has been concluded. We know the text explaining the picture : "Parthos (...) supplicesque amicitiam populi Romani petere" (and the Parthians sought as suppliants the friendship of the Roman people). It's "amicus (if not et socius) Populi Romani" again... [ATTACH=full]1593191[/ATTACH] The Augustan coins shows an evolution of the kneeling character theme: for the first time it is not a precise person (Aretas, Bocchus, Bacchius) but a symbolic character : the allegory of Armenia, or a Parthian. Was he supposed to be the king of Parthia? He has no name, does not wear anything showing a royal rank, he is just a Parthian. After Augustus, all kneeling characters will be allegories. Kneeling allegories, extending empty arms, symbolized the resurgence of a country thanks to the emperor. It could be Rome herself under Vespasian, [ATTACH=full]1593179[/ATTACH] (Sestertius of Vespasian) Parthia when Trajan gave her a new pro-Roman king, [ATTACH=full]1593183[/ATTACH] all the provinces, even the whole earth, on Hadrian's restitutori series. Under the Tetrarchy it's London greeting her liberator Constantius on a famous gold medallion. [ATTACH=full]1593184[/ATTACH]In all cases, from the Rex Aretas denarius to Constantius' medallion, even later, this kneeling attitude is always associated with positive ideas such as friendship, alliance, fides. This symbolic gesture lasted very long, especially in Medieval Europe for the ritual of the feudal homage. [ATTACH=full]1593185[/ATTACH]Edward III of England pledging homage to Philip VI of France in 1329 I don't know how the Persians interpreted the figure of the "Kaisar" Philip kneeling in front of Shapur on horseback. From a Roman point of view, it just meant peace and friendship. And this is what actually happened in 244. Philip could have fought on: the Roman army defeated in Misikhe was just a vanguard, the main body was still ready to fight under Philip, so Shapur accepted a ransom to free the prisoners (that's the least Philip could propose) and did not claim back the land and cities taken by the Romans the previous year. This war had been a partial success for Rome, yes! On the other side, Philip officially recognized Shapur as king of the Persians, which was a diplomatic progress for his father Ardashir was never recognized by Rome, and Rome could be willing to restore the Arsacids. It was real peace : when back to Antioch, Philip sent Shapur some Roman specialists of urbanism and architecture to build Shapur's royal city Bishapur (and perhaps artists too). The reign of Philip was a honeymoon between the Roman and the Persian empires...[/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches