Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 435 2 Jan 2019
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33.5mm, 21.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 12 (AD 148/149). Laureate head right / Isis seated right on throne, holding infant Harpokrates; all within distyle Egyptian-style temple façade, disk in pediment; L ΔωΔЄ KATO[V] (date) around. Köln 1609; Dattari (Savio) 3045; K&G 35.438; Emmett 1587.12. Near VF, dark green patina with earthen highlights/deposits, some smoothing and cleaning scratches.
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 principal deities. It is generally recognized 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 principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpocrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.