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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 3259938, member: 82616&quot;]In the 1981 miniseries <i>Masada </i>there is a fictitious meeting between the Roman legate Flavius Silva (Peter O&#039;Toole) and the Jewish rebel leader Eleazar ben Yair (Peter Strauss) in the hopes of finding a peaceful settlement between the Romans and Jews. At one point during the negotiations Eleazar produces a coin and says &quot;We&#039;ve seen these coins. Very impressive - a Jewish woman at the foot of a centurion. &#039;Judaea vanquished!&#039;&quot; He then drops the coin in front of Silva and continues &quot;As long as one of us is alive and remembers how to start a fire or hold a sword, this war will go on.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]857330[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Ever since I first saw that miniseries many years ago I wanted one of those iconic bronze coins. Today I can finally say I have one. Although Judaea Capta coins in general are not rare, in fact most are quite common, they are in <i>very</i> high demand and are quite pricey. I think I made out OK with my latest arrival - a piece with honest wear and minor cleaning scratches.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]857331[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Vespasian</b></p><p>Æ Sestertius, 24.60g</p><p>Rome mint, 71 AD</p><p>RIC 167 (C3). BMC 543.</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l., Vespasian stg. r. with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass</p><p>Acquired from Denarius, December 2018.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Jewish War was an important event for the fledgling Flavian dynasty - in essence it gave them the legitimacy to rule. The ensuing propaganda onslaught after the capture of Jerusalem in August of 70 is awe inspiring. We have Josephus&#039; description of the joint triumph of 71 held for Vespasian and Titus in book 7 of his &#039;Jewish War&#039;, the buildings and monuments erected by the regime, and more importantly for our purposes we have the coins. Judaea Capta types were struck in all metals for almost as long as the dynasty ruled. The first flurry of these came in 71, presumably in conjunction with the triumph, amidst a great issue of bronze coinage that same year. One of the most iconic Judaea Capta types is this sestertius&#039; reverse featuring a triumphal Vespasian with a defeated Judaea at his feet, not surprisingly one of the more common types from the issue. Vespasian is seen proudly standing holding a spear and parazonium (a triangular sword) with his foot on an enemy helmet, while Judaea is sitting on a captured cuirass in abject despair - take note of their size discrepancy. The iconography on display here strongly hints at what the spectators of the triumph likely witnessed. The slight of hand the Flavian regime devised which transformed defeated rebel provincials into a foreign menace is truly amazing.</p><p><br /></p><p>I can&#039;t help but to post one more bit from the <i>Masada</i> miniseries - the moment when Silva&#039;s forces first draw up to Masada.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>General Cornelius Flavius Silva:</b></p><p>&quot;The ground you occupy is the property and territory of the Emperor, Senate and people of Rome. In their name I order you to depart from it.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Eleazar ben Yair:</b></p><p>&quot;The ground you occupy was given as promised to the children of Israel by almighty God, king of the universe and lord of mankind. Since time began he has punished anyone who trespassed on his children&#039;s land. I have warned you once and one warning is all that he allows. You have sentenced yourself and your soldiers to death.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>A truly fantastic series, despite the fictional indulgences.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please feel free to post your common iconic coins![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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