Featured Roman Families

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, May 15, 2020.

  1. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

    Today (like every May 15th) is International day of families. So why not take this opportunity to remember some ancient Roman families' characteristics? Family was an important part of Ancient Roman culture and society. Much of Roman law was written around protecting the basic structure of the family. The family you belonged to had a lot to do with your place in Roman society and whether you were considered a patrician or a plebeian.

    [​IMG]
    A typical Roman family, Pompeii

    The "familia" in Rome included more than just the basic family of father, mother, and children. It also included all the people who were part of the household such as the slaves, servants, clients, and freedmen. As a result, some families in Rome grew quite large. The emperor's family often included thousands of members. The legal head of the family was the father or "paterfamilias." He was the oldest living male in the household. The paterfamilias had legal authority over the other members of the household. He decided who his children would marry and issued punishment for any family member that disobeyed him. In early Rome, he could even have family members put to death, but this rarely actually happened.
    The ancestry of a family was very important to the Romans. Each family was part of a larger group called a "gens" that shared the same ancestor. The oldest and most powerful Roman families were members of a gens called "patricians." Being born into a patrician family assured a person a high status in Roman society.

    [​IMG]
    This Roman family looks happy, doesn't it ?

    What about marriage? The paterfamilias generally had the final say over who his children would marry. Many marriages between the elite families of Rome were arranged based on politics. Unlike many ancient civilizations, Roman men only married one woman at a time. Divorce, however, was fairly common and could be initiated by either the husband or the wife. And the children ? They were generally loved and taken care of in Roman families. Boys were especially important because they would carry on the family name. When a child was born, it was placed on the ground by the midwife. It was only accepted into the family if the father picked it up. Otherwise, the child would be put outside to die of exposure. Sometimes abandoned infants would be rescued by other families and raised as slaves.

    0BBD0F63-1378-4296-BDE0-065C3EE63893.jpeg
    Another classical Roman family, Rome.

    Now it's time to show off your coins. Please feel free to post your examples of Roman emperors related together ( by blood or adoption) !
    I present you a family of Emperors who had at least one thing in common : a short career ; the father Carus only ruled for 1 year, his son Numerian wore the purple for about 18 months and his brother Carinus reign on the empire for a big 2 years....
    1E970890-6757-48E7-8585-BE7F67E65B75.jpeg
    DA1D6BD1-8CAD-436D-8FAB-686C01662E01.jpeg
    01159A97-86DA-4DCE-9781-2BD3A295374B.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2020
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  3. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    Well, no matter how heated discussions in your own family get, these guys show that things could be a lot worse:

    Rom – Septimius Severus, denar, Dea Caelestis.png
    Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 202–210 AD, Rome mint. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG; head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH; Dea Caelestis, draped, riding r. on lion, holding thunderbolt in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand; below, water gushing from rock. 19mm, 3.32g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 266. Ex Marc Breitsprecher; ex Secret Saturn 2019 (thanks again – I love this coin!).

    Rom – Julia Domna, denar, Venus v. hinten (neuestes Foto).png
    Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 193–196 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA DOMNA AVG; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: VENERI VICTR, Venus standing with back turned, head r., holding apple in r. hand and palm in l., resting l. elbow on column. 18mm, 4.13g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 536.

    Rom – Geta, denar, Minerva (neues Foto).png
    Geta, Roman Empire, denarius, 202–207 AD, Rome mint. Obv: P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES; bust of Geta, draped and cuirassed, r. Rev: PONTIF COS; Minerva standing l., leaning on shield and holding spear. 20mm, 2.74g. Ref: RIC IV Geta 34a.

    Rom – Caracalla, denar, Providentia – neues foto.png
    Caracalla, Roman Empire, denarius, 210–213 AD, Rome mint. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head of Caracalla r. Rev: PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM, Providence standing l., holding baton and scepter, globe at feet l. 19mm, 3.07g. Ref: RIC IV–1. 227. Ex FSR 106, lot 257.

    Rom – Plautilla, denar, Concordia.png
    Plautilla, Roman Empire, denarius, 202–203 AD, Rome mint. Obv: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA; bust Plautilla, draped, r. Rev: CONCORDIA AVG; Concordia standing l., holding patera and sceptre. 18mm, 3.09g. RIV IV Caracalla 363a. Ex André Cichos.
     
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  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Speaking of family, and ancestry, Robert Graves had this to say about Livia and the Claudian Family Line:

    “Livia was of the Claudian family, one of the most ancient of Rome, and so was my grandfather. There is a popular ballad, still sometimes sung by old people, of which the refrain is that the Claudian tree bears two sorts of fruit, the sweet apple and the crab, but that the crabs outnumber the apples. Among, the crab sort the balladist reckons Appius Claudius the Proud, who put all Rome in a tumult by trying to enslave and seduce a free-born girl called Virginia, and Claudius Drusus, who in Republican days tried to make himself King of all Italy, and Claudius the Fair, who, when the sacred chickens would not feed, threw them into the sea, crying, ‘Then let them drink,’ and so lost an important sea battle. And of the former sort the balladist mentions Appius the Blind, who dissuaded Rome from a dangerous league with King Pyrrhus, and Claudius the Tree-Trunk, who drove the Carthaginians out of Sicily, and Claudius Nero (which in the Sabine dialect means The Strong), who defeated Hasdrubal as he came out of Spain to join forces with this brother, the great Hannibal. These three were all virtuous men, besides being bold and wise. And the balladist says that of the Claudian women too, some are apples and some are crabs, but that again the crabs outnumber the apples.”

    Robert Graves, from I Claudius
     
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  5. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Here's a sestertius of Aurelian that I purchased in 1993, the year I got hitched.

    Roman Empire 274-275 AD
    Æ Sestertius
    Aurelian
    Rome
    Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust r.,
    Rev: CONCO - R - DIA AVG, Emperor and Empress Severina clasping hands; in field, above them, radiate bust of Sol r.; in ex. SC.
    RIC 80; C 35.
    VF, with a brown and green patina.
    Reverse is somewhat off center.
    7.7 grams

    D-Camera Aurelian Sestertius, 274-275 AD, 5-15-20.jpg
     
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  6. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    I'm bending the rules here, but let's pay a gens familia from before the emperors came and ruined everything.
    Here's some of the gens Caecilia familia Metellus: 20190628_180432_AB16B064-6597-44B2-820E-3E4698047AFD-985-0000011587F0EB0B.jpg
    Caecilia
    Denarius. AR. Rome. (125 BCE). A / Head of Rome to the right, behind ROMA and in front X. R / Macedonian shield, around M. METELLVS Q. F., all within a laurel wreath. 3.70g. FFC.204. Banker's punch. Limited. BC / BC +. Ex Pliego
    20200126_102758_9AF543AC-5108-4F93-A9DC-1F6FE9E61EA7-2259-000002380E9315C1.png
    Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius
    Scipio
    Denarius, 19mm 3.74g. (h).
    Africa, 47-46 BC. Obv: Laureate
    head of Jupiter right; Q METEL
    before, PIVS behind. Rx:
    Elephant walking right, SCIPIO
    above, IMP in exergue.
    Crawford 459/1. Sydenham
    1046. RSC Caecilia 47. Sear,
    Imperators 45
    Ex Savoca
    After L. Caecilius Metellus'
    victory over Hasdrubal at
    Panormus and the capture of
    one of the Carthaginians'
    elephants, that beast
    became as a heraldic
    symbol to the gens Caecilia.
    It is ironic then that displayed
    on this coin it should be so
    reminiscent of Caesar's own
    earlier issue bearing an
    elephant on the reverse
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2020
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  7. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    Here is an aureus with three emperors from one family... Vespasian, obv. , reverse his sons Titus and Domitian on horseback.

    2rGYrGe6X8PpTc5SE35y4tQsF9tzgm.jpg
     
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  8. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    Sisters - Mums - Sons - Cousins
    MUMS.jpg
     
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  9. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Family group of Philip I, Otacilia Severa, & Philip II, AD 244 - 249, all coins struck in Antioch, Syria. Otacilia was the only one of this family to have a natural death :smuggrin:.

    Philip I, OtaciliaSevera, Philip II.jpg
     
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  10. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Happy family day, everyone.
    [​IMG]
    Valerian I
    Augustus, A.D. 253-260
    Silver Double Denarius
    Antioch mint, A.D. 253
    Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG
    Rev: PIETAS AVGG - Two emperors, emperor at left sacrificing at altar with patera, emperor at right, sword on belt, holding eagle-tipped scepter
    RIC 284
    24 x 22 mm, 3.5g.

    [​IMG]
    Salonina
    Augusta, A.D. 254-268
    Silver Double Denarius
    Asia mint (Antioch?), A.D. 255-258
    Obv: CORN SALONINA AVG
    Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG - Gallienus, on left, shaking hands with Salonina, on right.
    RIC 63 (joint reign)
    21mm, 4.0g.

    [​IMG]
    Gallienus
    Augustus, 253-268
    Silver Double Denarius
    Asia Minor mint, A.D. 255-256
    Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG
    Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI - Emperor with spear, receiving globe from
    Jupiter, on right, leaning on scepter
    Wreath in field
    RIC 440
    21mm, 4.5g.

    [​IMG]
    Valerian II
    Caesar, A.D. 253-258
    Silver Double Denarius
    Rome mint, A.D. 253-255
    Obv: P LIC VALERIANVS CAES
    Rev: IOVI CRESCENTI - Jupiter, as a child, riding, right, on goat
    RIC 13
    20x23 mm, 4.3g.

    [​IMG]
    Saloninus
    Caesar, A.D. 258-260
    Augustus, A.D. 260

    Cologne mint
    Silver Double Denarius
    Obv: SALON VALERIANVS CAES
    Rev: SPES PVBLICA - Spes, walking left, holding flower and raising skirt
    RIC 13, var.
    22x20mm, 2.2g.
     
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  11. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Great write up @Roman Collector ! I remember this lecture so well from over 40 years ago.

    This lecture focused on the Roman Republic, as it influenced how the Famalias were organized, controlling the City, the Senate, Society Structure, Farms out in Italia, Colonies, etc. It was so rooted in the fabric of Rome, and roots of the concept of Famalias harkoned back to the time of the Founding of Rome and especially when they established the Republic in 509 BCE...

    If you do not mind, here are a few from The Republic

    SCIPIO
    Scipio defeated Hannibal in the 2nd Punic War. This was when he started beating on the Barcids in Spain. First representation of a Roman on a Coin, of course it was FAR away from Rome, but befitting of Scipio's personality. Later became Scipio Africanus.
    upload_2020-5-16_9-44-8.png
    Carthago Nova SCIPIO Africanus Roman Occupation 209-206 BCE Sear Vol2 6575 Left R


    Younger Brother of Scipio Africanus was Scipio Asiaticus

    upload_2020-5-16_9-48-19.png
    RR L Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus Asiagenus AR Serrate Denarius 4.0g 19mm Rome 106 BCE Hd Jupiter Left - Jupiter quad r scepter tbolt L•SCIP•ASIAG B Cr 311-1e Syd 576
     
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  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    POMPEY

    upload_2020-5-16_10-46-49.png
    RR Sextus Pompeius 137 BCE AR Den She-Wolf Rom Rem S112 Cr 235-1a


    upload_2020-5-16_10-53-5.png
    RImp Pompey 42-38 BC AE As Janus Prow Magnus S 1394 Cr 479-1
     
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  13. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    The good ol Julio Claudians:
    20190728_101503_2DAA5253-4336-4C19-BF47-E7387E9176DB-1718-0000026DDC14C0D2.png 20190326_113902_A475C04F-3F88-4BF3-807B-61D128F4F709-406-0000008E85D006B5.png 20190327_115218_ACBFA07F-A7FA-40DA-9236-1CF3DD04F5F0-469-000000511E08D8EE.png IMG_4420.jpg 20190327_143617_36881756-79A6-4F4F-A05F-670D934345D3-469-00000086D09708D5.png 20190327_115019_DDD49984-1167-4474-AB89-B246A834BCA0-469-000000507400265F.png
    5F6CA5C6-8961-4C4C-82EF-8BFB06A71BDB-359-000000108BCF1918.png
    20200302_131759_IMG_4431.JPG 20190327_114544_70022C06-D241-4825-B36B-F169CD7A3025-469-0000004EEA294AE4.png
     
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  14. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    GENS ANONYMOUS / FAMALIA ANON

    I keep running across this "Anonymous" Family! WOW, they were PROLIFIC!!! I have SEVERAL coins from that Familia. Must had been a founding Famalia of Rome! The name must be akin to the UGLIES.

    This Famalia does not go out of their house very much, but I thought since times have been troubled, that they would have a chance to get out and play!

    They must had bred like rabbits!

    Here are a few of their work...

    :D :) :D :) :D

    upload_2020-5-16_12-42-50.png
    RR Anon AR Quinarius 81 BC Apol MARIUS GAUL Vict var 2 i S 305 Cr 373-1b


    upload_2020-5-16_12-44-32.png
    RR Anon AR Quinarius 211-208 BC Roma Dioscuri S 42 Cr 47-1a


    upload_2020-5-16_12-45-29.png
    RR Quinarius 212-195 BCE 1.8g Luceria mint Anon Craw 098-B1 L VERY RARE


    upload_2020-5-16_12-46-28.png
    RR Anon AR Victoriatus 211-206 BC Jupiter Dioscuri FINE S 49 Cr 44-1


    upload_2020-5-16_12-47-52.png
    RR Anon AR Sestertius 211-208 BC Roma Dioscuri S 46 Cr 44-7


    upload_2020-5-16_12-51-52.png
    RR Anon AE Quartuncia 217-215 BC Roma Prow Cr 38-8 S 624


    upload_2020-5-16_12-53-4.png
    RR Anon AE Double-Litra 275-270 BC Apollo Lion S 590 Cr 16-1a


    upload_2020-5-16_12-54-7.png
    RR Anon AE Half-Litra 234-231 BCE Roma Phrygian Dog S 598 Cr 26-4


    upload_2020-5-16_12-55-18.png
    RR Anon AE Litra Crawford 25-3
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2020
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  15. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    @Al Kowsky beats me to it, I have a family snapshot of the Phillip's too

    [​IMG]

    Q
     
  16. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

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  17. Shea19

    Shea19 Well-Known Member

    Here are Constantius I and Helena, their son Constantine the Great, and grandson Constantine II. I don’t have a Crispus, but I think it’s probably OK to leave Crispus out of a Family Day post :)

    059FC363-90FA-4283-B5EA-379836119907.jpeg
     
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  18. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Very nice and way cool, Cuke!!!
     
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