MATRI DEVM, Cybele or Julia Domna

M

Mea Culpa, thank you

 

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I believe it was a bit over 50 years ago that a professor of mine (I remember the man but not whether it was in Greek or Latin class) pointed out that there were some of his colleagues foolish enough to believe that classical languages should follow rules made up in the 1800's to benefit the egos of men like themselves. Languages, ancient or modern, develop in time and place to fit the purposes of people who were not aware of a need for such foolishness. It was our job to figure out what they were saying however they said it.

Julia Domna, Sestertius


Gordian III Marcianopolis

 

Good point on the grammar, Doug - a few years back I got into early printing - 16th-17th century stuff. It is amazing how "ungrammatical" the Elizabethans were - and yet who is going to say Shakespeare was using English wrong? Not me.

As for Latin, there is a book by Nicholas Ostler called Ad Infinitum, a Biography of Latin that I cannot recommend enough. Latin, even in the "classical" era, was in a constant flux. According to Ostler, it was the Renaissance when Latin became fossilized in an effort to keep it "pure" (I am simplifying his very interesting analysis).

As for your coins, they are quite nice. At the risk of being insulting, however, your sestertius of Julia Domna seems to be featuring a giant mouse under Cybele's throne.