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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 4586575, member: 82616&quot;]The Alexandrian coinage struck for Domitian is rich in reverse types and very diverse in its iconography. Recently, I was able to obtain a very appealing diobol struck early in his reign.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1135803[/ATTACH]<b>Domitian</b></p><p>Æ Diobol, 7.76g</p><p>Alexandria mint, 83-84 AD</p><p>Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕΒ; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.</p><p>Rev: ΕΤΟΥΣ ΤΡΙΤΟΥ; bust of Isis, r.</p><p>RPC 2490 (14 spec.).</p><p>Acquired from Ken Dorney, June 2020.</p><p><br /></p><p>The reverse types employed on Domitian&#039;s Alexandrian coinage was a mix of both Greek and native Egyptian types. This diobol struck in regnal year 3 features a bust of the goddess Isis wearing a headdress of cow horns enclosing a sun disk. The cult of Isis was very popular during the First Century and was given a particular boost by the Flavians, likely owing to Vespasian&#039;s lengthy sojourn in Alexandria prior to his arrival in Rome.</p><p><br /></p><p>During the Civil War of 69 while the Vitellians were besieging the Capitol, Domitian sought refuge in the Temple of Isis. Suetonius tells us he was taken in by a temple attendant and escaped the next day disguised as one of the Isiac worshippers in a procession. Domitian did much to promote the cult of Isis in Italy during his reign, most likely owing to this event. This Egyptian style statue of Domitian as Pharaoh is actually from a temple of Isis in Beneventum, Italy.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1135808[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Domitian erected a pair of obelisks at the temple in 88. One is still standing in the Piazza Papiniano.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1135810[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>On the obelisk is Domitian&#039;s Egyptian royal titular.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Horus Name</b>: &#039;The mighty youth, his power will be stronger&#039;</p><p><b>Golden Horus Name</b>: &#039;Rich in years and great of victories&#039;</p><p><b>Throne Name</b>: &#039;Horus, son of Isis, beloved of the gods&#039;</p><p><b>Nomen</b>: &#039;The Venerable Dominitianus Caesar&#039;</p><p><br /></p><p>Feel free to post your Roman Pharaohs![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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