Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 366 13 January 2016
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 26.67 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). Laureate head right / Isis seated right, suckling the child Horus (Harpocrates); L Є (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2646; K&G 35.145 var. (palm frond on reverse); Emmett 1585.5. Fine, smooth brown patina with touches of green. Rare.
Following Alexander's conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the "goddess of a thousand names" became one of the Mediterranean's principle deities. It is generally assumed that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpocrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in medieval Europe.
Following Alexander's conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the "goddess of a thousand names" became one of the Mediterranean's principle deities. It is generally assumed that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpocrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in medieval Europe.