Complimentary epithets of Mars -- T-Bone ants of Antioch

Mars was the Roman god of war, the son of Jupiter and Juno and the father of Romulus and Remus.

He has many epithets in worship, literature, and on coins and in numismatic iconography. Mars Victor (victorious Mars -- duh!) appears bearing a trophy. Mars Gradivus (marching Mars) appears as a warrior taking great strides. The war-god appears with the titles Ultor (the avenger), Propugnator (the defender), Pacifer (the bearer of peace), Conservator (the preserver), and rarely with the epithets of Stator (the one who stays), Adsertor (he who carries an inquiry entirely through), and Pacator (the peace-maker).

These two issues of Trebonianus Gallus of Antioch depict him in the complimentary roles of defender and bringer of peace. As defender (propugnator), he is in full battle gear, carrying a spear and shield, his paludamentum trailing behind him, ready to take on the enemy. As bearer of peace (Pacifer), he remains in full battle gear, but offers a branch of peace while tilting his spear away from the enemy.

As is apparent on the MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM example, during the reign of Trebonianus Gallus, the issues of the Antioch mint had become severely debased, averaging only 18.9% silver, whereas those issued in Rome were less debased (30.9%), with the least debased being the unknown branch mint previously believed to have been Mediolanum (37.9% silver). See Pannekeet's paper here.

Post your coins of Mars!


Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.58 g, 20.7 mm, 5 h.
Antioch, AD 251.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars advancing right, carrying transverse spear and shield.
Refs: RIC 84; RSC 70; RCV 9637; Hunter 59.
Notes: The reverse inscription is unusually in the accusative case, and probably denotes the "motion toward" aspect of the case: "toward Mars the defender." Unlike other issues of the Antioch mint, no officina marks are known on examples of this coin.


Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.96 g, 20.5 mm, 12 h.
Antioch, AD 253.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: MARTI PACIFERO, Mars advancing left, holding olive branch and spear.
Refs: RIC 85; RSC 72; RCV --; Cunetio 412; Eauze 1038.
Notes: The reverse inscription is here in the dative case, likely a dative of advantage: "for Mars the bearer of peace." Only 4 examples in the Cunetio hoard; 1 example in the Eauze hoard; however, multiple examples in the Dorchester hoard.

 

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@Romancollector: Very interesting coins !

Here is my more common Mars



Hostilian
Antoninianus (AD 251)
Obv.: C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS N C, radiate and draped bust facing right
Rev.: MARS PROPVG, Mars advancing right, holding spear and shield
Ag, 2.86g, 25x20mm
Ref.: RIC 176a

 

Here is a Treb Gallus like the first coin in this thread:

IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG
MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM
21-20 mm. 3.82 grams.
RIC 84, Antioch mint

Here is another one from Antioch:


C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG
ADVENTVS AVG
Probably struck prior to the elevation of Hostilian to Augustus.
RIC 79, Antioch.

 

Here he is on a toned-to-black roach.

GORDIAN III
AR Antoninianus. 3.95g, 22.6mm. Rome mint, AD 243-244. RIC 147. O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars, helmeted, in military attire, hastening right, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield in left hand.

And for Antioch here's an ant from one reign before.


HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS
AR Antoninianus. 3.85g, 23.9mm. Antioch mint, AD 250-251. RIC (Decius) 158 (R). O: HEREN TRV MES Q V DECIVS CAESAR, radiate, draped bust right; •• below. R: PANONNIAE, Pannonia, veiled, draped, standing front, head right, holding helmet in right hand and standard in left hand. Notes: Extremely rare.

 

Here’s mine with a very dainty-looking Mars...not the most intimidating god of war.


Caracalla, AR Denarius, (18mm., 3.11g) Laureate head of Caracalla right/ Rev. MARTI PROPVGNATORI, Mars hurrying left, holding trophy and spear. RIC 223.

 

My very first ancient (bought in 1987) was a Septimius Severus with MARS PATER reverse -



This AE of Marcus Aurelius is a little rough, but I thought the depiction of Mars was somewhat unusual (and pretty well rendered):



Marcus Aurelius Æ As
(173-174 A.D.)
Rome Mint
M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVIII, laureate head right / MARTI VICTORI IMP VI
COS III, Mars standing right, half draped, shield inscribed SC resting on captive left.
RIC 1106; Cohen 432.
(11.53 grams / 25 mm)

 

Some great coins shown!.....Here's my recent pick up....
Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AR Denarius (2.89 gm, 20mm). Rome mint. Struck 228 AD.
Obverse: IMP SEV ALE-XAND AVG, laureate head right.
Reverse: PM TRPVII COSII PP, Mars standing right, holding shield and spear.
RIC IV 83;

 

Severus Alexander

Obv:– IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– MARS VLTOR, Mars advancing right, holding a spear and shield
Minted in Rome, A.D. 232
References:– RIC 246, RSC 161a

This was my first ancient coin and is still one of my favourites



It spurred many more Mars purchases. A VERY small sample.

Septimius Severus
Obv:– IMP CA L SE SEV PER AG COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– MART-I V-ICTORI, Mars advancing right carrying spear and trophy.
Minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-195
Reference:– cf. BMCRE 378 note. cf RIC 406b. RSC 324e. (all citing Cohen 324 - Kholl)

3.16 gms. 0 degrees



Probus

Obv:– IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy; at foot, captive.
Minted in Lugdunum (unmarked) Emission 7 Officina -. Summer A.D. 281
Reference(s) – RIC 35 Bust Type F (Scarce)

From aureus reverse dies. Same reverse die as aureus - Bastien 301. RARE

Weight 4.12g. 22.42mm. 0 degrees

 

Mars in the Roman Republic


ANONYMOUS ROMAN REPUBLIC
AR Didrachm
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Mars left, oak-sprig behind
REVERSE: ROMANO on tablet below head of bridled horse right, ear of wheat behind
Struck at Metapontum, 280-276 BC
19 mm, 6.55g
Cr13/1, Syd 1

TI VETURIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS VETURIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Helmeted bust of Mars right
REVERSE: Youth kneeling l., between two warriors who touch with their swords a pig which he holds., ROMA above
Struck at Rome 137 BC
3.7g, 18mm
Cr.234/1; RSC Veturia 1

L VALERIUS FLACCUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS VALERIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Draped bust of Victory right, star under chin
REVERSE: Mars walking left, carrying trophy; L. VALERI./ FLACCI. and a flamen's cap before and grain-ear behind
Struck at Rome 108-109 BC
3.7g, 18mm
Cr306/1, Syd 565, Valeria 11

MINUCIUS THERMUS MF ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS MINUCIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Mars left
REVERSE: Q*TERM*MF below two warriors in combat, one on left protecting a fallen man
Struck at Rome, 103BC
3.5g, 19mm
Syd 592, Cr319/1

L JULIUS CAESAR ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS JULIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: CAESAR Head of Mars left in crested helmet
REVERSE: Venus Genettris with scepter, in biga drawn by two Cupids left, lyre in field, contolmark above, L IVLI L F in ex.
Struck at Rome, 103BC
3.85g, 17mm
Cr320/1, Syd 593a.

 

Mars in Imperial Rome

TRAJAN
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right with aegis
REVERSE: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Mars standing front with spear & shield
Struck at Rome, 106-111 AD 3.2g, 18mm
RIC 162, C 378

LUCIUS VERUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: L VERVS AVG ARMENICACVS, laureate head right
REVERSE: TR P V IMP II COS II, Mars standing right, holding spear & leaning on shield
Struck at Rome, 163-4 AD
3.0g, 16mm
RIC 529 (Marcus Aurelius), C 263

CARACALLA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right
REVERSE: PONTIF TRP VIIII COS II, Mars in military dress standing left leaning on shield holding reversed spear
Struck at Rome, 206 AD
3.43g , 19mm
RIC 83

SEVERUS ALEXANDER
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate head right
REVERSE: P M TR P VII COS II P P, Mars standing right, holding shield and spear
Struck at Rome, 228 AD
2.8g; 19 mm
RIC 83

QUINTILLUS
AE Follis
OBVERSE: IMP CM AVR CL QVINTILLVS AVG , radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: MARTI PACIL, Mars walking left, holding olive branch, reversed spear and shield. X in left field
Struck at Rome, 270 AD
2.8g, 19mm
RIC V-1 Rome 25 corr
Llanedeyrn Hoard

PROBUS
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate & cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: MARS VICTOR, Mars advancing right, bearing trophy & spear. Mintmark III
Struck at Lugdunum, 277 AD
5.1g, 23mm
RIC 37, III

NUMERIAN
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: M AVR NVMERIANVS NOB C, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: MARS VICTOR, Mars advancing right with spear & trophy, C to right
Struck at Lugdunum, 284 AD
3.5g, 22.5mm
RIC 353c

CRISPUS
Follis
OBVERSE: CRISPVS NOB CAES, Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
REVERSE: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS, Mars, naked except for helmet and boots, chlamys flying out behind, advancing right holding transverse spear and shield. R-S across fields, QARL in ex.
Struck at Arles , 317AD
2.27g, 18mm.
RIC VII 129

 

Those are fine T-Bones, especially the second coin! I love accusative legends – thanks for showing.

Here is an earlier Mars from Antioch, previously attributed to Laodicea ad mare:

Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, denarius, 198–202 AD, Antiochia mint (previously attributed to Laodicea ad mare). Obv: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: MARTI [VICTO]RI; Mars, helmeted, in military attire, standing r., resting r. hand on shield and holding reversed spear in l. hand. 19mm, 3.01g. Ref: RIC IV.1 Septimius Severus 508.

This one has a gigantonormous flan crack but I like the portrait:

Severus Alexander, Roman Empire, denarius, 226 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, bust of Severus Alexander, draped and laureate, r. Rev: P M TR P V COS II P P, Mars walking r., carrying spear and trophy. 19mm, 2.67g. Ref: RIC IV, 2 Severus Alexander 53.

 

Cool write-up, @Roman Collector ! I appreciate all the info and did not realize all the Mars titles!

SICILY MAMERTINI MARS


Sicily Mamertini 288-278 BCE AE Pentonkion Mars-Eagle Mercenary Samnites Messana


ITALIA MARS


Larinum Frentani 210-175 BCE AE Quincunx 22mm 9.8g Mars or Athena corinthian helmet- Galloping Horseman spear sheild tbolt 5 pellets NH Italy 625 BMC 2 SCARCE


ROMAN REPUBLIC LITRA MARS


RR Anon AE Litra 241-235 BC Mars Beardless Horse Head Cr 25-3 S 594


ROMAN REPUBLIC PRE-DENARIUS REFORM


RR Anon Ca 240 BCE AR Heavy Quinarius Drachm 16mm 3.0g Rome Helmet Hd Mars r - Horse’s hd sickle Cr 25-2 Syd 25 RSC 34a Rare


ROMAN REPUBLIC POST-DENARIUS REFORM


RR Veturius 137 BCE AR Den Mars X Oath Scene pig S 111 Cr 234-1

 

ROMAN IMPERIATORIAL MARS


RImp Albinus Bruti AR Den 48 BC Mars Carnyces Cr 450-1a


ROMAN IMPERIAL ERA MARS


RI LUCIUS VERUS 161-169 AE24 As Rome L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Bare head r Mars trophy TR P IIII IMP II COS II S-C RIC 1377

 

No coins from ole T-bone but some featuring Mars:


Caracalla, AD 198-217 AR Denarius, 20mm, 2.8g, 12h; Rome Mint, AD 206
Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG; Laureate, draped bust right, seen from behind.
Rev.: PONTIF TR P VIIII COS II; Mars, in military dress, standing left, resting right hand on shield and holding spear.


Severus Alexander, Rome, AD 222-235
AR, denarius, 19mm, 2.4g; 6h; Rome mint, AD 226
Obv.: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG; laureate bust right
Rev.: PM TRP V COS II PP; Mars advancing right holding spear and trophy arms


Tacitus, AD 275-276
AE, antoninianus, 22.5mm, 3.77g; 11h
Obv.: IMP CM CL TACITVS AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: CLEM-ENTIA TEMP; Mars standing left holding olive branch in right, spear and shield in left
In Ex.: xIS


Postumus, AD 260-269
Ӕ Sestertius, 31x29mm, 19.2g, 12h; Lugdunum mint, AD 261
Obv.: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing right holding spear and leaning on shield.

How about Ares?


Septimius Severus, AD 193-211
AE28, 13.4g, 6h; Rabbath-Moba mint, CY 105 = AD 210/11.
Obv.: AVT K L CEOVHΡOC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus right, seen from behind.
Rev.: ΡABBAΘMΩBΩN ΘEOC AΡHC; Ares standing facing on high base with pilasters, between two flaming altars, holding dagger and shield with spear.Date P-E across fields.


Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE30, 15.2g, 6h; Rabbathmoba, Palestine, dated CY 105 = AD 210-211.
Obv.: AVT K M AV ANTUNINOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: PABBAΘ-MUBUN, Ares standing facing on square base decorated with pilasters, and holding sword, spear and round shield. Lighted torch to left and right. Date P-E across fields.

 

Here's an example of Mars I haven't seen posted yet on a coin of Constantine I .


Constantine I, AD 307-308, Trier Mint: AE follis, 26 mm, 5.40 gm, 5 h. RIC VI 776.