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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;willieboyd2, post: 769137, member: 4910&quot;]<b>Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus</b></p><p><br /></p><p>December 25 is the birthday of the Roman Sun God, Sol Invictus</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Dies Natalis Solis Invicti</i> means &quot;the birthday of the unconquered Sun&quot;.</p><p><br /></p><p>The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped</p><p>collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god, Sol, the god of Emperor</p><p>Aurelian, and Mithras, a soldiers&#039; god of Persian origin.</p><p><br /></p><p>Emperor Elagabalus (AD 218-222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height </p><p>of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.</p><p><br /></p><p>The festival was placed on the date of the solstice because this was on this day</p><p>that the Sun reversed its southward retreat and proved itself to be</p><p>&quot;unconquered&quot;. </p><p><br /></p><p>These coins are from the emperors Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161), Aurelian (AD 270-275),</p><p>and Constantine (AD 306-337).</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_rome_antoninus_emesastone.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Antoninus Pius Provincial AE 23 - Emesa, Syria </p><p>Obverse: Laureate bust right</p><p>AVT KAI TI AIL ANTWNEINOC CEB EV</p><p>Reverse: Eagle standing right on sacred stone of Elagabal, B in right field</p><p>EMICHNWN</p><p>Catalog: BMC 1, SNG Cop-307, 309 </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_rome_aurelian_captive.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Aurelian Antoninianus - Sol Invictus with Captive </p><p>Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right</p><p>IMP AVRELIANVS AVG</p><p>Reverse: Sol standing left, right hand raised, holding globe, captive at foot</p><p>ORIENS AVG - Exergue: S (Serdica mint)</p><p>Catalog: RIC Serdica 276 </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_rome_aurelian_walking.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Aurelian Antoninianus - Sol Invictus Walking </p><p>Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right</p><p>IMP AVRELIANVS AVG</p><p>Reverse: Sol walking right with laurel-branch and bow, treading down an enemy</p><p>ORIENS AVG, letter A to left - Exergue: XXIR (Rome mint)</p><p>Catalog: RIC Rome 64 </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_rome_constantine_sol_rome.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Constantine AE Follis - Sol Invictus - Ticinum Mint</p><p>Obverse: Laureate cuirassed bust</p><p>IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG</p><p>Reverse: Sol standing left with orb and raising right hand</p><p>SOLI INVICTO COMITI - Exergue: ST (Ticinum Mint)</p><p>Catalog: RIC Ticinum 8 - Struck AD 313-314 - Size: 19mm</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_rome_constantine_sol_ticinum.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Constantine AE Follis - Sol Invictus - Rome Mint</p><p>Obverse: Laureate cuirassed bust</p><p>IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG</p><p>Reverse: Sol standing left with orb and raising right hand, captive to left of Sol</p><p>SOLI INVICTO COMITI - Exergue: RP (Rome Mint)</p><p>Catalog: RIC Rome 2 - Struck around AD 326 - Size: 19mm</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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