Featured Faustina Friday -- Ephesian Artemis on an Æ 20 of Aezani

Aezani (Greek Αἰζανοί) in northern Phrygia, near the headwaters of the Rhyndacus, was a political and economic center of modest importance in pagan times but became a notable bishopric during the Constantinian and Byzantine eras.


From "Asia citerior," Auctore Henrico Kiepert Berolinensi. Geographische Verlagshandlung Dietrich Reimer (Ernst Vohsen) Berlin, Wilhemlstr. 29. (1903). David Rumsey Historical Map Collection.

Ruins of the ancient city include a well-preserved Temple of Zeus, a combined theater-stadium complex, and colonnaded streets.

One of a series of pictures taken to show the exterior of the Zeus Temple in Azanoi. Photo by Dosseman, used without alterations and with permission.

Aizanoi Theater June 2008. Photo by Dosseman, used without alterations and with permission.

Aizanoi colonnaded street June 2008. Photo by Dosseman, used without alterations and with permission.

Coins bearing three reverse types are known bearing the obverse portrait of Faustina II, of apparently the same denomination (~20 mm, ~5 g). A coin certainly issued under Antoninus Pius (RPC IV.2 1674) bears the obverse inscription ΦΑΥϹΤΙИΑ ΝЄΑ (“Faustina Junior”) and a portrait with an early hairstyle paired with a reverse type featuring Asklepios standing. Two later issues bear the obverse inscription ΦΑΥϹΤΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ (“Faustina Augusta”) and a portrait featuring Faustina’s middle-period hairstyle – a combination used on imperial issues between AD 158 and 161. These two coins have reverse types featuring Apollo (RPC IV.2 1677) and Ephesian Artemis (RPC IV.2 1678).

The goddess Artemis of Ephesus (Diana in Roman mythology), was not the quite the same as the one worshipped in Greece. The Greek Artemis was the goddess of hunting and is often depicted with stags. The Artemis of Ephesus, however, was the product of syncretism between aspects of Artemis and of Cybele and was therefore worshipped as a goddess of fertility. She was often depicted as a female figure with multiple breasts, which were the symbols of fertility, from her waist to the shoulders, with bulls, deer, queen bees, eggs, and other fertility symbols everywhere. Note the presence of lions, which indicate syncretism with Cybele, and the presence of stags at her side, which are an aspect of Greek Artemis.


Replica of the cult statue of Artemis of Ephesus. In the Ephesus Museum. Photo source: Van Gogh Alive.

This coin’s reverse is very similar to the cult statue of Artemis in Ephesus. No traces of a temple to Artemis (an Artemision) have been found among the ruins of the city and the purpose of the goddess’ appearance on this coin remains a matter of conjecture. It’s entirely possible the city boasted temples to Apollo, Asklepios and Artemis as featured on its coins, but such temples may have been repurposed under Christianity in later centuries.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman Æ 20.3 mm, 5.89 g.
Phrygia, Aezani, c. AD 158-161.
Obv: ΦΑΥϹΤΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: ΑΙΖΑΝ-ЄΙΤΩΝ, cult statue of Artemis of Ephesus standing facing wearing kalathos, hands resting on supports.
Refs: RPC IV.2 1678 (temporary); BMC 25.39,117; SNG Cop 101.​

Let’s see your coins of Aezani, coins featuring Ephesian Artemis, or anything you feel is relevant!

 

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Nice coin and write up.

Here is another Ephesian Artemis from Phrygia:


Traianopolis
Asia Minor, Phrygia
Pseudo-autonomous issue
AE16
Time of Hadrian, AD 117-138
Obv: Helmeted bust of Athena right, wearing aegis.
Rev: ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Facing statue of Artemis Ephesia
AE, 16mm, 3.11g
Ref.: RPC III 2479; Lindgren I 1049.

 

Phrygia, Aezani, Claudius
bverse inscription ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΝ ΚΑΙϹΑΡΑ ΑΙΖΑΝΙΤΑΙ
Obverse design laureate head of Claudius, r.
Reverse inscription ƐΠΙ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΓƐΝΟΥϹ
Reverse design Zeus standing, l., with eagle and sceptre

 

Great coin and fantastic pics, RR.

Claudius I (AD 41-54). AR cistophorus (10.8gm,26mm, 6h). NGC Fine. Ephesus, ca. AD 41-42. TI CLAVD-CAES AVG, bare head of Claudius I left / DIAN-EPHE, tetrastyle temple with three steps containing central standing figure of Diana Ephesia, polos on head and fillets hanging from wrists; shield, altars, two stags and figures in pediment. RIC I 118.
Ex Heritage online auction Dec 2020, lot 61118.(10.8gm,26mm, 6h). NGC Fine. Ephesus, ca. AD 41-42. TI CLAVD-CAES AVG, bare head of Claudius I left / DIAN-EPHE, tetrastyle temple with three steps containing central standing figure of Diana Ephesia, polos on head and fillets hanging from wrists; shield, altars, two stags and figures in pediment. RIC I 118.
Ex Heritage online auction Dec 2020, lot 61118.

 

Ionia. Ephesos. Hadrian AD 117-138.
Bronze Æ. 21 mm., 5.89 g.
Laureate head right. / Statue of Artemis Ephesia within tetrastyle temple.

 

My only coin with Artemis:


Seleukid Kingdom. Magnesia on the Maeander . Seleukos II Kallinikos 246-226 BC. Bronze Æ 17 mm., 4,02 g.

http://numismatics.org/sco/id/sc.1.670

Obv: Head of Artemis right, bow and quiver behind.
Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY.
Apollo standing left, testing arrow and resting bow on ground; all within maeander pattern. Controls: Monogram in field to outer right, two monograms in field to outer left.
SC 670.

 

ambr0zie, I just bought this from a member here.
It looks a bit like your Artemis. Sorry, I don't have the coin in hand yet.

 

I don't think it's the same type of coin, but better pics would help.

 

Better picture

 

I enjoy this trend of trying to link numismatic representations on local coinage with actual local monuments and/or cult statues very much.