The DEXIOSIS (hand shaking) CHALLENGE

Many years ago I bought an antique car from a neighbour. It was in his garage for decades and the poor guy was getting to old to restore it. We agreed on a fair price and I offered him to make a contract with the details of our transaction. His answer was : « a good handshake is better than any papers ». He was right. We did that : the deal was made...But where and when was this custom practiced in the past ? Here are some interesting facts :

The hand shaking gesture, Dexiosis for the Greeks or Dextrarum Iunctio for the Romans is first found in ancient Greek art, especially on funerary monuments ; it was associated with the theme of farewell. Some historians believe it was also a gesture of peace by showing the right hand was not holding any weapons (dexios meaning right). On Roman gravestones we often see the deceased clasping hands with their spouses. Even if Dexiosis was one of the most common iconographic elements on Classical funerary monuments, its exact sense remains uncertain.


Hera & Athena Handshaking 5th century BC


Attic white-ground red-figured lekythos, late 5th century BC

For the Romans, the handclasp signified harmony, affinity, friendship, and loyalty. As the right hand was consecrated to the deity of fidelity, in scenes of a political nature the handclasp represented political concord at the conclusion of a contract. In the Antonine period, dextrarum iunctio became a symbol of the harmony of the imperial couple. Dexiosis reliefs are found on ancient coins and are they are intended to show bonds between two cities by shaking hands.


A relief of a Dexiosis between Antiochus I and Hercules

A quick look at acsearch with the key words « clasping hands » refer us to more than 2500 examples of ancient coins depicting this theme ! Now here is the CHALLENGE :
show us your coins with hands shaking gesture...

Mine :
Tiberius and Tyche clasping hands
RPC 2451

Lucius Verus & Marcus Aurelius clasping hands
RIC 1291

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Interesting write up @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix! I think handshakes on Roman coins often seem to indicate someone is about to die.

My favorite is the double handshake minted by pro-Vitellian forces in Southern Gaul during the civil war.

Civil Wars of 68-69 AD AR denarius. 3.49 g.
O: FIDES EXERCITVVM, two clasped hands.
R: FIDES PRAETORIANORVM, two clasped hands.
-BMC 65; Martin 7; RIC² 121 (Group IV) , Ex Jonathan P. Rosen, Ex Auktion Myers/Adams 7, New York 1974, Nr. 269.

The message of a unified fidelity, or loyalty, of the 'armies' (FIDES EXERCITVVM) and the praetorians (FIDES PRAETORIANORVM) distributed among the praetorians as a propaganda tool.


Nerva
AD 96-98. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.47 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 97.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, Laureate head right
R: CONCORDIA - EXERCITVVM around clasped hands. RIC II 14; RSC 20

Nerva would not need to advertise that he had achieved concord with the army unless the relationship had been a problem. His adoption of Trajan, a general on the German frontier, as Caesar and heir, successfully established harmony with the army.

And, of course, who could forget the best friends Pupienus and Balbinus?



Because they were constantly quarreling, they were defenseless against the praetorians. After a reign of only 99 days, Pupienus and Balbinus were beaten and dragged naked through the streets of Rome before being killed. Beware the Roman handshake!!!

 

Very nice selection @Nemo. And here is a little video on handshakes lessons :

 

VITELLIUS
AR Denarius, with plugged hole. 3.05g, 17.3mm. Uncertain Spanish mint (Tarraco?), AD 69. RIC 30 (R3). O: A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, laureate head right, globe at point of neck. R: [FIDES EXERCITVVM], two clasped right hands.

 

Fun write-up! I like the use of contemporary sculpture to augment the numismatic illustrations! Here are some of my hand-shaking coins:


Nerva, AD 96-98.
Roman AR denarius, 3.21 g, 18.5 mm, 7 h.
Rome, January - September, AD 97.
Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head, right.
Rev: CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, clasped hands.
Refs: RIC 14; BMCRE 25-26; Cohen/RSC 20; RCV 3020; CBN 15.


Faustina Senior, AD 138-141.
Roman AR denarius, 3.73g, 17mm.
Rome, AD 142.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, draped bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA, Antoninus standing right, holding scroll, clasping right hands with Faustina I, standing left, holding sceptre.
Refs: RIC 381b; BMCRE 288; RCV 4592; Cohen 159.



Julia Paula, AD 219-220.
Roman AR denarius, 3.16 g, 18.6 mm.
Antioch, AD 219.
Obv: IVLIA PAVLA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: CONCORDIA, emperor and empress standing facing each other, clasping hands.
Refs: RIC 214; BMCRE 318-320; Cohen 12; RCV 7656; CRE 454.



Orbiana, wife of Severus Alexander, Augusta AD 225-227.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 20.02 g, 28.6 mm, 12 h.
Rome, special marriage issue, AD 225.
Obv: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM S C, Severus Alexander, togate, standing right, holding scroll in left hand and clasping right hands with Orbiana, veiled and draped, standing left.
Refs: RIC 657; BMCRE 301; Cohen 6; RCV 8194; Banti 3.


Severina, AD 270-275.
Roman billon antoninianus, 4.01 g, 24.2 mm.
Serdica, issue 8, AD 274-275.
Obv: SEVERINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right on crescent.
Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG, emperor and empress clasping hands, * in field between them; KA Δ in exergue.
Refs: RIC 16; MER/RIC temp no 2827; RCV 11703; Cohen 2.


Maximian, AD 286-308.
Roman Æ Antoninianus, 3.78 mm, 23.0 mm, 12 h.
Cyzicus, AD 293-294.
Obv: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS AVG, radiate and draped bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM•, Emperor standing right, receiving Victory from Jupiter standing left; Г/XII•.
Refs: RIC 607; Cohen 53; RCV 13115.

 

HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS
AR Antoninianus
OBVERSE: Q HER MES DECIVS NOB C, Radiate and draped bust of Herennius right
REVERSE: CONCORDIA AVGG, Clasped hands
Struck at Rome, 250/1 AD
3.53g, 21mm
RIC138

D. JUNIUS ALBINUS; GENS POSTUMIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Hd of pietas r; PIETAS
REVERSE: Clasped hands on caduceus; ALBINVS BRVTI.F
Rome 48 BC
3.91g. 19mm
Syd 942

AUGUSTUS
AE Quadran
OBVERSE: LAMIA SILIVS ANNIVS, clasped hands holding caduceus
REVERSE: III VIR A A A F F around large S C
Rome 9 BC
3.0g, 15mm
RIC 420, BMC 200, S 1693

NERVA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right
REVERSE: CONCORDIA EXCERCITVVM, clasped hands holding legionary eagle resting on prow
Struck at Rome 96 AD
2.9g, 18mm
RIC 3

 

You know, I mentioned this possible custom to my wife & she immediately grabbed my right hand to shake it...h'mm...I don't think she's ill...

 

A fun challenge, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix!

@Nemo, wow-- that civil wars denarius is fantastic!

There are many coins in this thread I'd love to have, especially ones which feature just the hands.


EGYPT, Alexandria. Elagabalus
tetradrachm, 24 mm, 13.27 gm
regnal year 4
Obv: laureate head right
Rev: Elagabalus standing right and empress (Aquilia Severa or Annia Faustina) standing left, each holding scepter, clasping right hands; L ∆ across field
Ref: Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4098; K&G 56.43; Emmett 2929.4 (R4)


Here's one which is similar to the theme: the personification of Alexandria kissing the proffered hand of Hadrian:


EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian
year 15, 130/131 AD
Æ Drachm, 35 mm, 24.8 gm
Obv: AVT KAI TPAI ADPIA CEB; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
Rev: Hadrian standing left, togate, holding sceptre, greeted by Alexandria, clad in elephant's skin headdress, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears in her left hand, and kissing Hadrian's extended right hand; L-IE (date) below.
Ref: Emmett 964.15, R1

 

HANDSHAKE

ANTONY & OCTAVIAN (so much love between them...)

RImp Marc Antony & Octavian AR Quinarius 1.58g Military Mint Gaul 39BCE Concordia r Hands clasped caduceus Cr-529-4b Sear 1575 Syd-1195

Again the love...

RImp Marc Antony AR Quin Concordia Clasped Hands Caduceus Cr 529-4b


MARIUS (Well, that later guy...Not the good one from the Republic)

RI Marius 269 Gallic Usurper BI Ant CONCORD MILIT Clasped Hands

 

A generation ago a man was judged on the firmness of his handshake (more than today?). Cub and Boy Scouts were taught special handshakes to indicate they were members of the group. This led to the sort of thing parodied in the video clip. If we look at all the examples shown in this thread we will see details that vary but most common seemed to be the requirement that the fingers remained extended rather than gripping as is the modern standard. I see no evidence on the coins that suggests whether or not the hands remained motionless or were pumped up and down according to detailed rules which would be taken negatively if violated. As a boy, I recall hearing comments of handshakes being good and firm or limp. People to be disparaged were sometimes shown shaking hands with too much pumping up and down. I assume that someone has written a book on the history of handshaking but that is just an assumption.
Vitellius

Vespasian


Antoninus Pius

Volusian


My favorite handshake of course is the one between Caracalla and Geta. Is it just me or would you place any meaning to the fact that the brother on the right has his other hand on his sword? Are they wrapping fingers more than usual? Is this the way it was done then or just inaccurate die work?

 

I know this is not appropriate to the subject of ancient coins, but even in modern US coinage, the symbol is memorialized . . . .

​

 

AEOLIS, KYME
AE 15
OBVERSE: K-Y across fields, Artemis standing right, holding torch and clasping hands with figure standing left, holding transverse spear
REVERSE: Two figures in quadriga right; one holding long transverse spear
Struck at Aeolis, after 190BC
3.12g, 15mm
SNG Cop 113; BMC 96

D. JUNIUS ALBINUS; GENS POSTUMIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Hd of pietas r; PIETAS
REVERSE: Clasped hands on caduceus; ALBINVS BRVTI.F
Rome 48 BC
3.91g. 19mm
Syd 942

AUGUSTUS
AE Quadran
OBVERSE: LAMIA SILIVS ANNIVS, clasped hands holding caduceus
REVERSE: III VIR A A A F F around large S C
Rome 9 BC
3.0g, 15mm
RIC 420, BMC 200, S 1693

TITUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: T CAES IMP VESP CENS, laureate head right, "o" beneath neck
REVERSE: FIDES PVBL, hands clasped over caduceus, two poppies and two corn-ears
Struck at Uncertain Asian Mint or Ephesus, 76AD
2.9g, 19mm
RIC V 1485 (Vesp), RPC 1459
Ex David Atherton; ex Harry Sneh Collection; ex Sayles; ex Lavender

NERVA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right
REVERSE: CONCORDIA EXCERCITVVM, clasped hands holding legionary eagle resting on prow
Struck at Rome 96 AD
2.9g, 18mm
RIC 3

HADRIAN
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right
REVERSE: ADVENTVS AVG, Roma, standing right holding spear and clasping hands with Hadrian standing left.
Struck at Rome, 134-138AD
2.8g, 17mm
RIC, 225, RSC 84a

HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS
AR Antoninianus
OBVERSE: Q HER MES DECIVS NOB C, Radiate and draped bust of Herennius right
REVERSE: CONCORDIA AVGG, Clasped hands
Struck at Rome, 250/1 AD
3.53g, 21mm
RIC138

 

Maybe the Hand of God was not to acknowledge some ruler, but to shake them like a rag-doll...


RI Aelia Eudoxia wife of Arcadius 395-401 CE AE3 2.83g 17mm crowned by hand of God Enthroned Constan mint RIC 79

 

Good stuff here...glad this thread was resurrected!

 

Here's a CONCORD AVGVSTOR As from my hoard: