AR Denarius of Petillius Capitolinus
money; coins (money)
The obverse of this coin depicts an eagle standing on a thunderbolt, representing the Roman god Jupiter – the chief deity of the Roman Republic. This symbol became popular not only on both Greek and Roman coins, but as a powerful military symbol as well. On the reverse of the coin is a classic Greco-Roman temple whose roof is traditionally decorated with armed deities as well as a quadriga – or a chariot drawn by four horses. Temples such as this were places of ritual worship and offerings honoring the specific god(s) the temple had been built for.
Petillius Capitolinus
Syd 1151, Craw 487/2B
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019)
43 BCE
Cooper Hanson
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.102
Roman Republic
AR Tetradrachm of Syracuse
money; coins (money)
The obverse side has the head of Arethusa, who was a nymph and daughter of Nereus. She fled her home, Arcadia, beneath the sea and came up as a fresh spring in Syracuse. Her figure is surrounded by four dolphins, who helped in her escape. The reverse depicts a charioteer driving a quadriga pulled by horses. Above is Nike, the goddess of victory, crowning the four horses which represented the victory they brought to Syracuse.
City of Syracuse
N/A
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2019)
485-465 BCE
MR
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Greek
Physical Object
2019.04.008
Greek