GODS AND GODDESSES GALLERY
AR Denarius of Julius Caesar
The obverse side contains Caesar's name and shows an elephant and snake. This signifies a power struggle with Caesar and represents the religious power struggle of good and evil. The reverse shows important things such as a ritual cap, ax, and a long ladle, related to Caesar's role as Pontifex Maximus, or high priest which was Caesar's offices. These show religious influence in Caesar's life as well as portraying his relationship with the gods.
AR Denarius of L. Lucretius Trio
The obverse side of this coin depicts the sun god Sol with rays emerging from their head. The reverse side shows a crescent moon surrounded by seven stars. The sight of seven stars was important to ancient people because it marked Spring planting or Autumn harvest season which symbolizes the importance of a bountiful harvest and the role of the gods in Roman life.
Tetradrachm of Syracuse
The front side shows the head of Arethusa, a nymph praised for her beauty. She is wearing pearls and a necklace which often showed high status. The four dolphins surrounding Arethusa connects her to Syracuse, Sicily because the city has importance with the ocean. The reverse shows Nike, the goddess of victory, crowning the horses. Nike is shown flying above as she is known as the “winged goddess”. Arethusa and Nike both represent goddesses important to Sicily.
Denarius of M. Caecillus Metellus
This coin was minted by moneyer M. Caecillus Matellus. Depicted on the front is the head of Apollo alongside the word “Roma”. Apollo is a complex god as he is the god of many things including the sun, music, and the prophecy. He is known for his charming looks and youthfulness. The reverse shows a Macedonian shield surrounded by inscription
Didrachm of Kingdom of Paeonia
Alexander the Great Didrachm became a staple coin of Greece, because it was commonly used for international trade. Pictured on the front is the head of Herakles, known as the greatest hero of the Greeks. Herakle’s lion skin headpiece is symbolic of his accomplishments to become a demigod. Depicted on the reverse is a muscular Zeus seated on a throne while holding an eagle and scepter. These are symbols of Zeus ‘s power.
AE Sestertius of Nero
Nero is one of the twelve Caesars that ruled over Rome. The obverse of the coin is his image and the reverse has the god he linked with himself Virtus. Virtus is synonymous with valor and bravery. This was supposed to link his image with those two virtues but the sins of his life are what he is remembered for. He is remembered for trying to eradicate Christianity and its followers.
AE Sesterius of Claudius
Claudius is one of the twelve Caesars that ruled over Rome. The obverse of the coin is his image and the reverse has the god he linked with himself, Constantia. Constantia is synonymous with courage and perseverance. Thus, for as long as the coins are around his likeness will be linked with Constantia thus linked with courage and perseverance.
AR Denarius of Quintus Fufius Calenus
The obverse of this coin depicts the laureate bust of the Roman god Honos (left), and helmeted bust of the goddess Virtus (right). These two deities were commonly portrayed together in Roman culture, as Honos personifies honor while Virtus personifies the Roman virtue of virtus – or masculine strength and military power. On the reverse are the female deities Roma (left), and Italia (right) – personifying Rome and Italy, respectively. Roma holds a spear to symbolize strength, while Italia holds a cornucopia to symbolize abundance and well-being.
AE Quadrans
The obverse side of the coin features a depiction of the head of Heracles wearing a lion’s skin headdress. Legend claims that Heracles with the help of his Heraclean supernatural powers strangled the vicious Nemean lion with his bare hands to save the inhabitants of Nemea, Greece. The reverse side of the coin features the prow of a galley or boat, which was a sign of dominance over the sea in terms of trade, pirates, and war. Both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin work together to prove the Roman Republic’s success in warfare and military power as it relates to the Gods.
AR Denarius of A. Manlius Q.F. Sorgianus
The obverse side of the coin features either an abstract personification of Rome itself or a reference to Minerva the Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, commerce, the fine arts, and later, war. The reverse side features a rare frontal view of either Sol Invictus or Jupiter wearing a crown and standing in attendance with their chariot drawn by four horses abreast. Both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin work together to prove Rome's military might on horseback which is supported by the gods.
AR Denarius of L. Plautius Plancus
The obverse side features the face of Medusa, considered an image of power and protection because she could turn enemies to stone. The reverse features the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, leading the four horses of the sun while holding a palm branch. This relates to Caesar’s victory against Pompey, like the sun rising on a new day.
Drachm of Ptolemy IV
The face of Zeus-Amon adorns the front of this coin and the eagle, which is the symbol of Zeus is on the back. Zeus-Amon is the pairing of the two godkings of Greek and Egypt’s pantheon. The joining of these cultures is an attempt to legitimize the fact that Egypt since the time of Alexander has been ruled by a Greek instead of an Egyptian.