Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Caracalla Æ33 of Paphos, Cyprus. AD 193-211. Μ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC ΑVΓΟVCΤΟC, laureate head right / ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΚΥΠΡΙΩΝ, temple of Paphian Aphrodite, conical cult xoanon within central distyle tower with star within crescent above, distyle porticoes flanking, each containing candelabra and dove above; paved semicircular court before temple with hatched enclosure around, within which stands a dove, altar, and Cypriot character 'pa'. Parks 25; SNG Copenhagen 92; BMC 60. 21.32g, 33mm, 6h.
Extremely Fine; earthen repatination. In extraordinary state of preservation for the type.
From the inventory of a North American dealer.
Palea Paphos was one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the Greek world due to its famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite; the goddess herself was born of the sea near Paphos, and floated in on a scallop shell. When she arose, she was hailed as 'Cyprian'.
The Sanctuary of Aphrodite continued to flourish well into the Roman era. Several Roman emperors honoured the shrine, and it was visited by Titus in AD 69 when the future emperor was on his way to Egypt; he consulted the oracle of Aphrodite, and was told that he had a great future. The sanctuary was rebuilt by the Romans after the earthquake of AD 76/77, in a design that preserved the layout of the original. The cult of Aphrodite survived at Palea Paphos until the 4th century AD, when emperor Theodosius I outlawed paganism. Today, virtually nothing remains of the Sanctuary save the holy ground itself.
Extremely Fine; earthen repatination. In extraordinary state of preservation for the type.
From the inventory of a North American dealer.
Palea Paphos was one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the Greek world due to its famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite; the goddess herself was born of the sea near Paphos, and floated in on a scallop shell. When she arose, she was hailed as 'Cyprian'.
The Sanctuary of Aphrodite continued to flourish well into the Roman era. Several Roman emperors honoured the shrine, and it was visited by Titus in AD 69 when the future emperor was on his way to Egypt; he consulted the oracle of Aphrodite, and was told that he had a great future. The sanctuary was rebuilt by the Romans after the earthquake of AD 76/77, in a design that preserved the layout of the original. The cult of Aphrodite survived at Palea Paphos until the 4th century AD, when emperor Theodosius I outlawed paganism. Today, virtually nothing remains of the Sanctuary save the holy ground itself.