Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Roman Provincial from Biblical Rabbath-Moab
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Parthicus, post: 4538490, member: 81887"][ATTACH=full]1123601[/ATTACH] </p><p>Roman Empire. Arabia, Rabbath-Moab (Areopolis). AE 27. Septimius Severus (193-211 AD). Obverse: Laureate bust of Septimius Severus right, Greek inscription around. Reverse: Statue of Ares standing facing, in military dress with shield, spear, and sword, standing on platform with four legs, Greek inscription around [RA]BBATh MWB[...]. Cf. SNG ANS 1414. This coin: Bought from Forum Ancient Coins, February 2020.</p><p><br /></p><p>This coin appealed to me, despite the rather ugly obverse, because of the reverse type and because of its interesting mint city. Rabbath-Moab (located at the site of modern Rabba in Jordan) was a very ancient city. It is mentioned several times in the Bible (in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy) as "Ar of Moab" which was an important city of the Moabite people. The city eventually became Hellenized and was renamed Areopolis, and the cult-statue of Ares featured on this coin bears that out. Areopolis was part of the Nabataean kingdom, and as such was duly absorbed by the Romans when they turned Nabataea into the Province of Arabia in 106 AD. The city issued Roman Provincial coinage under the Severans, but its output seems somewhat scarce from what I can tell. Also of note, the city's name is usually spelled "Rabbath-Moab" in history texts and Biblical references, but "Rabbath-Moba" in numismatic sources. Indeed, the city name is spelled with "Moba" rather than "Moab" on coins where this part of the legend is readable. Perhaps this is due to Greek-speakers attempting to render a foreign name, or maybe the pronunciation had shifted over the centuries. While this coin is not going to win any beauty contests, I do like the reverse on this piece. (Don't look too closely at Ares' face, though- from certain angles it looks like a clown face.) Please post your coins of Rabbath-Moab-Areopolis, or whatever else is related.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Parthicus, post: 4538490, member: 81887"][ATTACH=full]1123601[/ATTACH] Roman Empire. Arabia, Rabbath-Moab (Areopolis). AE 27. Septimius Severus (193-211 AD). Obverse: Laureate bust of Septimius Severus right, Greek inscription around. Reverse: Statue of Ares standing facing, in military dress with shield, spear, and sword, standing on platform with four legs, Greek inscription around [RA]BBATh MWB[...]. Cf. SNG ANS 1414. This coin: Bought from Forum Ancient Coins, February 2020. This coin appealed to me, despite the rather ugly obverse, because of the reverse type and because of its interesting mint city. Rabbath-Moab (located at the site of modern Rabba in Jordan) was a very ancient city. It is mentioned several times in the Bible (in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy) as "Ar of Moab" which was an important city of the Moabite people. The city eventually became Hellenized and was renamed Areopolis, and the cult-statue of Ares featured on this coin bears that out. Areopolis was part of the Nabataean kingdom, and as such was duly absorbed by the Romans when they turned Nabataea into the Province of Arabia in 106 AD. The city issued Roman Provincial coinage under the Severans, but its output seems somewhat scarce from what I can tell. Also of note, the city's name is usually spelled "Rabbath-Moab" in history texts and Biblical references, but "Rabbath-Moba" in numismatic sources. Indeed, the city name is spelled with "Moba" rather than "Moab" on coins where this part of the legend is readable. Perhaps this is due to Greek-speakers attempting to render a foreign name, or maybe the pronunciation had shifted over the centuries. While this coin is not going to win any beauty contests, I do like the reverse on this piece. (Don't look too closely at Ares' face, though- from certain angles it looks like a clown face.) Please post your coins of Rabbath-Moab-Areopolis, or whatever else is related.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Roman Provincial from Biblical Rabbath-Moab
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...