Dear Friends of ancient mythology! The Coin: Egypt, Alexandria, Hadrian, AD 117-138 AE - drachm, 35.3g, 20.22g Alexandria, AD 117/8 (RY 2) Obv.: AVT KAIC TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC Bust, draped, laureate, r. Rev.: Euthenia, clad in garment of Isis (in chiton and peplos with the typical knot before her breast), wearing crown of Isis (sun disk between horns), leaning l., resting l. arm on small sphinx, laying r., and holding in raised r. hand grain-ears, poppies and lotus-flower(?). in field LB (= year 2) Ref.: Milne 844; BMC - VF, green brown patina Notes: (1) The portrait of Hadrian is a bit unusual and reminds of Caligula. It seems that it needed some time until the Alexandrians got the right portrait! (2) The typical knot at the breast is the so-called Knot of Isis, the Tit-Knot. This knot originally was a special knottet girdle tie und has relations to the religious sign of Ankh. The Ankh Cross was suggested in ancient Egypt as symbol of welfare and life. The Knot of Isis looks like an Ankh Cross with depending wings. Mythology: The dominant triad of Egyptian gods, during the Roman period, was composed of Sarapis, Isis and Harpokrates. Nilus and Euthenia seem to have been next in importance to the great triad, so far as Alexandria and the coinage are concerned. Euthenia was a very late addition to the Egyptian pantheon. Originally the personification of 'abundance' and 'plenty', and represented on the regular coins of Rome as Abundantia, she became the consort of Nilus, during Ptolemaic times, and acquired the status of an important goddess. She was often assimilated to Isis. Euthenia makes her first appearance on Alexandrian coins during the age of Augustus and seems to relate to the importance of Egypt as a supplier of grain to Rome (a trade that was important to both parties). Referring to Greek mythology Euthenia seems to be one of a group of younger Graces. The others are her sisters Eukleia (reputation), Eupheme (acclaim) and Philosophryne (welcome). Her parents are said to be Hephaistos and Aglaia (Orph. rhapsod. fragm.) History of Art: The added pic shows a marble statue representing Euthenia. Reclining on her left side, she is shown wearing the garment of Isis. Her arm rests on a crouching sphinx, the symbol of Egypt. She holds in her left hand a vessel for holy water and is surrounded by eight children, representing half the number of measuring units (cubits) of Nile flood height required for a bountiful harvest which is sixteen cubits. It is from the time of Hadrian, AD 120-140, and is found in the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria. The Egyptian Euthenia is often equated with the Roman Abundantia. Both were responsible for the grain supply. But there are differences too. Whereas Euthenia was seen as goddess Abundatia was a pure personification. So she had no own temples. And as an abstract idea she has no own mythology! Abundantia: The Coin: Severus Alexander, AD 222-235 AR - denarius, 19.6mm, 3.22g Rome, edition 10, AD 229 Obv.: IMP SEV ALE - XAND AVG Bust, draped, laureate, r. Rev.: ABVNDAN - TIA AVG Abundantia, richly draped, stg. facing, head r., holding cornucopiae with both hand and emptying a lot of coins. Ref.: RIC V/2, 184(c); C.1; BMC 591 nice EF (revers!) Note: Perhaps the rev. refers to money gifts that the emperor gave to his soldiers before he went to the East to fight against the Parthians. Under their new dynasty of Sassanides the Parthians have begun to invade Asia. Best regards
Quote: notes(1) The portrait of Hadrian is a bit unusual and reminds of Caligula. It seems that it needed some time untill the Alexandrians got the right portrait! yes, but hundred years seems a bit long to get used to Hadrians portrait Would like to see a bigger pic of the Hadrian Alexandria coin anyway I learned a new goddess Euthenia , thanks Jochen. Here's my Trajan with Abundantia holding ears of corn:
