What a Grand Entrance.

I was lucky enough to pick up this coin at recent Bertolami Auction that I have been after since i started collecting, but always too pricy in good condition especially the reverse, and surprised to win it a lot cheaper than it sold for the time before.
Otacilia Severa (Augusta, 244-249). Coele-Syria, Heliopolis. Æ (31mm, 13.53g, 6h). Diademed and draped bust r., Set on crescent. R / Propylaeum of temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus. BMC 20, 23; Price-Trell 162, fig. 284. Rare, dark patina, Good VF



Privately purchased from John Jencek

Below are some pics and a reconstructed view of how the complex looked when completed.

Propylaeum (Grand Entrance)

There are pedestals in the front of the grand entrance, which seem to have been designed for statues, being too small for pillars. There is a square pavilion at each end, and the rooms within are adorned with the same architecture as the walls in the front. This magnificent entrance is at least twenty feet above the ground to the east, and without doubt a grand flight of stairs was designed to it, the foundation wall being left rough between the two pavilions.


The present stairs were added in 1905 at the initiative of German Emperor Wilhelm II, who promoted major archaeological activities after he had visited Baalbek in 1898.


Reconstructed portico of the Propylaeum which had twelve columns of Egyptian granite

There are many cities in Syria that retain their antient names; which is a proof that the Greek names, introduced under the Macedonian kings, were rarely received by the common people; of this Baalbek, or rather Baalbeit, is an instance, which signifies the house or temple of Baal. This deity is supposed to be the same as the Sun; accordingly the Greeks in their language call this place Heliopolis, or the city of the Sun.

The construction of an initial shrine is dated 3rd century BC, but the temple was completed at the time of Nero. The Great Court was initiated by Antoninus Pius and completed by Septimius Severus and his son Caracalla who built also the Propylaeum. The Hexagonal Court was finished by Philip the Arab. Hence where this type of coin originated, displaying himself and wife Otacilia Severa.

LET'S SEE YOUR COINS IN THIS TIME PERIOD BETWEEN A/PIUS AND PHILIP THE ARAB, AND OF COURSE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THOSE HELIOPOLIS COINS.

 

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@Ancient Aussie -- that's fabulous! I was wondering when we'd be seeing more of of your very discerning architectural coins!

Thought about you recently when I bought an architectural coin, a pseudo-autonomous from Bizya . It fits your requested parameters for this post but it has not yet arrived. Was supposed to be delivered yesterday (biting nails...).

 

Thanks TIF, I'm glad you like it, but can you please when you think of me before you buy an architectural coin let me know so I can buy it before you....much appreciated..

 

I love seeing a new @Ancient Aussie thread post! That coin is absolutely awesome AA and your write up is fantastic as well.

I am afraid I don’t have anything relevant to add other than just general praise for the thread.

 

That's a real show-stopper, @Ancient Aussie! Sestertius-size, too!

 

Wow. That is a terrific coin and an informative write-up, @Ancient Aussie

Here is mine from Heliopolis, a small standing Hermes with a COL HEL reverse legend:


Caracalla Æ 19
Heliopolis, Coele-Syria
(198-217 A.D.)
ANT[ONIN], laureate head right / COL HEL, naked Hermes standing facing, head left, holding caduceus.
SNG Copenhagen 430; Lindgren I A2162a.
(5.16 grams / 19 mm)
eBay Dec. 2019

 

And for the Jefferson Nickel enthusiasts out there, I think it is full steps...

 

Under Antoninus Pius, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. It is the second temple, the archaic first temple had been set ablaze by Herostratus in 356 BC. The second temple, of Hellenistic ionic style, was considered one of the 7 wonders of the world. Nothing remains of it but a few white marble blocks. Not far from Ephesus, the temple of Apollo at Didyma is much better preserved, and may have looked like the temple of Ephesus.



The great altar of the Temple of Elagabal in Emesa (Homs, Syria), with its two levels of niches with statues, on a coin of Julia Domna. This monumental altar probably stood in the courtyard in front of the temple entrance. Nothing is left of this once famous sanctuary, we do not even know where it was. Monumental altars of the same kind can still be seen in the courtyard of the Jupiter Temple in Baalbek, also in the Zeus Temple of Gerasa (Jerash, Jordan).



The temple of Zeus in Rhesaena (Ras al-'Ayn, Syria), on a coin of Trajanus Decius. The view of the temple from three-quarters is typically Syrian. The eagle inside the temple symbolizes Baal ("the Lord" in Aramaic) = Zeus in Greek.

It seems that absolutely nothing is left today of the ancient Rhesaena except for its name, Aramaic Resh Ayna (litterally "the source's head"), Arabic Ras al-'Ayn: it is located at the source of the river Khabur. The present population is largely Kurd and they call it Serê Kaniyê in Kurdish, which has the same signification. It is exactly against the border with Turkey and has long been a military zone, not very archaeologists-friendly. It has recently been invaded and now occupied by the Turkish army.

 

A. Aussie, Nice score ! The Roman provincials have some of the best architectural types . Pictured below is the best Otacilia portrait coin I have .

 

Really beautiful coin, congrats. Love the reverse.

 

That's a spectacular reverse type, AA, congrats!

I don't have anything from Heliopolis, but I always think of you and your collection whenever I pick up an architectural type. Here's one I acquired earlier this year that I think I haven't shown yet. It's in pretty rough condition and difficult to photograph, but it was a reverse I was after and they don't come up all that often.


CARACALLA
AE31. 16.97g, 31.0mm. THRACE Pautalia, AD 198-217. Ruzicka 713, pl. IX, 18; Varbanov 5256-7 var. O: AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNINOC, laureate head right. R: VΛΠΙΑC ΠΑVΤΑΛΙΑC, city view: figure within tetrastyle temple set on wooded acropolis; below, figure standing right and lighted altar within tetrastyle temple, seen in perspective left; pellet in pediment; figures in distyle shrines on either side of acropolis; to right at ground level, statue grouping consisting of three figures standing facing.

 

Great coin @Ancient Aussie ! I have an architectural type to share from Zeugma, unfortunately the city was sacked and destroyed by the Persians in the time of Valerian and Gallienus, presumably the temple was torn down or desecrated.

COMMAGENE, Zeugma.

Philip I the Arab or Philip II. 247-249 AD.

Æ31, 19.2g; 6h

Obv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ФIΛIΠΠOC CЄB; Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.

Rev.: ZЄYGM-ATЄΩN; Peribolos containing grove of trees, seen in perspective; tetrastyle temple in distance, draped figure within (Zeus?); in exergue, capricorn to right.

Reference: Butcher 31c; BMC 35.

 

Thats a gorgeous coin Aussie. I dont have a coin from Heliopolis but another coin featuring a temple from the reign of Emperor Philip I. :
This coin features the Zeus Temple from the city Cyrrhus in modern day syria:

 

Great write up, thanks Aussie

 

Congrats @Ancient Aussie !

OTACILIA SEVERA


RI Otacilia Severa 244-249 CE w-Philip I AR Ant Pietas Augustae incense RIC IV 43


HUSBAND


RI Philip I 244-249 CE AR Ant radiate zoo Antelope SAECVLARES 1000 yr anniv Rome


SON


RI Philip II 244-249 Nisibis Mesopotamia-farthest EAST Temple Tyche river god Mygdonius - sinister left

 

Thanks Curtis coming from you it is a real compliment.

 

Thanks RC, nothing like a chunky bronze.

 

Thanks, great coin yours as well.

 

Fantastic coins Gino.

 

Thanks I agree one of the best portraits I have seen of her.