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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ancient Aussie, post: 8075848, member: 80147&quot;]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.[ATTACH=full]1401788[/ATTACH] </p><p>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</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Privately purchased from John Jencek</p><p><br /></p><p>Below are some pics and a reconstructed view of how the complex looked when completed.[ATTACH=full]1401789[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1401790[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1401791[/ATTACH]</p><p>Propylaeum (Grand Entrance)</p><p><br /></p><p>There are pedestals in the front of the grand entrance, which seem to have been designed for statues, being too small for pillars.&nbsp; 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.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Reconstructed portico of the Propylaeum which had twelve columns of Egyptian granite</p><p><br /></p><p>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. </p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>LET&#039;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.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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