The Secular Games were some of the largest and most memorable celebrations in antiquity. They were held on two different cycles, first on the "saeculum", thought to be the longest possible length of a human life (between 100 and 110 years) and on the even centennial anniversaries of the founding of Rome. Because of frequent conflict, the games were not always held consistently but were held throughout the history of the empire, with some evidence pointing to the first games taking place in 509 BC but with more regular games taking place during the Roman Republic in 249 BC and the 140s BC. Augustus held games in 17 BC, and later emperors followed in 88 AD and 204 AD, approximately 110 years between games on the “saeculum” cycle. Claudius also held celebrations in 47 AD to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Rome's foundation, leading to subsequent games in 148 AD by Antoninus Pius and 248 AD by Septimius Severus. Septimius Severus saw many parallels in his conquests to those of Augustus two hundred years earlier so he continued the tradition of the Secular Games. These games were lavish and significant with animal hunts as well as chariot races in Circus Maximus. Dio Cassius wrote: “The whole construction in the amphitheatre was made in the form of a ship, and was so conceived that 400 beasts might be received into it, and at the same time be sent forth from it. Then, when it suddenly collapsed there issued out of it bears, lionesses, panthers, lions, ostriches, wild asses and bison, so that seven hundred beasts, both wild and domesticated, were seen running about at the same time and were slaughtered.” (LXXVII, 4-5). The inscription on this coin refers to Septimius Severus inaugurating a new golden age, a happy time: “Laetitia Temporum” This coin appears to depict two different events, the chariot races in the Circus represented by the quadrigae above the ship, and the large animal hunt which took place on the seventh and final day of the games, mirroring the precise description written by Dio Cassius with each animal type visible on the commemorative coins. [Septimius Severus. (193-211 AD). Silver denarius (3.42 gm). Rome, 206 AD. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, head laureate right / LAETITIA TEMPORVM, the spina of the Circus Maximus decorated as a ship facing left, with the turning posts at its prow and stern, a sail mounted on the central obelisk, and the spina's other monuments visible in between; above the ship, four quadrigas racing left; below, seven animals: an ostrich at left and bear at right; between them a lion and a lioness chasing a wild ass and a panther attacking a bison. BMCRE 343. RIC 274 (R2). Cohen 253 (60 Fr.).] The games by Septimius Severus were unfortunately the last on the "saeculum" cycle as 110 years later, Constantie I was emperor and the games put to an end. However, in 244 AD, Philip the Arab became a major figure within the Roman Empire, negotiating peace with the Sassanid Empire soon after ascending to the thrown upon the death of Gordian III. In April 248 AD, Philip led the celebrations of the thousandth anniversary of the founding Rome. Philip spent a massive amount of money on the celebrations with fantastic games, theatrical presentations, and major events within the Colosseum where more than 1,000 gladiators were killed along with hundreds of exotic animals. This coin was minted for these games, with the inscription MILITARIVM SAECVLVM, referring to the next “millenary age”: the completion of the first 1,000 years and the start of the next. [Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ Sestertius (29mm, 20.81 g, 12h). Secular Games issue. Rome mint, 5th officina. 10th emission, AD 249. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MILIARIVM SAECVLVM, cippus inscribed COS/III in two lines. RIC IV 157a; Banti 24.] These would also prove to be the last centennial celebrations and the end of a centuries long set of popular traditions. Some superstitious contemporary historians blamed the decline of the Roman Empire on the cancellation of the much-loved ritual and while it certainly harmed morale, Rome had more problems brewing than just the lack of large celebrations.
Abundant and beautiful detail on the denarius. It always puzzles me why the Romans didn't occasionally mint larger silver coins as commemoratives. You would think that something like the secular games would warrant a sestertius-sized coin.
Wow AJ, apparently you have quite a few pretty nice coins, eh? (congrats) Yah, your coins really are the "gold-ring-standard" that we all strive towards ... oh, and your photos are absolutely stunning as well (cool style ... you own that hovering, reflecting thing) ... it is very cool Ummm, I do have a couple of humble offerings ... Otacilia Severa. Augusta, Æ Sestertius AD 244-249 Secular Games issue., 4th officina. 9th emission of Philip I, AD 248 Rome mint Diameter: 28 mm Weight: 15.99 grams Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing stephane Reverse: Hippopotamus standing right Reference: RIC IV 200a (Philip I); Banti 13 Other:12h … dark brown patina, with some red Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection Oh => and the good ol' hubby had a pretty cool Anniversary-coin as well ...
AJ - your coins never fail to impress. I must say the bronze Phillip is fantastic. The details on the obverse makes it a true winner. Do you have many bronze coins in your collection?
How about some spectators for these games? ROME PB Tessera (19mm, 3.37 g, 7 h) Ceres standing facing, holding long scepter and grain ears Two applauding spectators seated right on steps; inverted IV (Iuvenes?) below Rostovtsev 542 = Kircheriano 1131
Thanks! I have only this sestertius and my sestertius of the Colosseum in bronze/(orichalcum) - the rest are silver/gold/electrum.
Beautiful coins, AJ! I bow my head in awe. That denarius is specially nice. Domitian was also pretty big with the secular games (Ludi Saeculares). He minted at least two denarii, and a series of Asse and Dupondii to celebrate the event.
I just posted this new denarius in another thread and thought I'd update this one as well. Here's my other new Circus Maximus denarius. I like some elements of this one more than my original, so they will reside next to each other in my collection
