Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 60 1 Aug 2019
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Julia Domna (wife of S. Severus) Æ28 of Ilium, Troas. AD 193-217. IOV ΔOMN CЄBACTH, draped bust right / [Є]K[T]Ω[P] IΛIЄNΩN, Hector charging to right, holding shield and about to hurl torch. Bellinger T225. 9.47g, 28mm, 6h.
Very Fine; slightly rough green patina. Extremely Rare; no other examples on CoinArchives.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group LLC;
Ex Numismatik Naumann, Auction 58, 1 October 2017, lot 257.
The mint of Ilium had been idle during the civil war that followed the death of Commodus in AD 192, but when Septimius Severus emerged as victor new coins gradually began to appear. While Septimius' wife Julia Domna occupies the obverse of this coin, its reverse recalls a moment from the city's mythological past that had taken root in narratives of the Trojan War. Hector is depicted in the moment before he launched the momentous assault that finally penetrated the Achaean rampart: holding a shield to protect himself Hector strides forward determined to plant a flaming torch into the prow of an Achaean ship, a moment related in Homer's Iliad: 'And now, tell me, O Muses that hold your mansions on Olympus, how fire was thrown upon the ships of the Achaeans. Hector came close up and let drive with his great sword at the ashen spear of Ajax. He cut it clean in two just behind where the point was fastened on to the shaft of the spear. Ajax, therefore, had now nothing but a headless spear, while the bronze point flew some way off and came ringing down on to the ground. Ajax knew the hand of heaven in this, and was dismayed at seeing that Zeus had now left him utterly defenceless and was willing victory for the Trojans. Therefore, he drew back, and the Trojans flung fire upon the ship which was at once wrapped in flame.
The fire was now flaring about the ship's stern, whereon Achilles smote his two thighs and said to Patroklos, "Up, noble horseman, for I see the glare of hostile fire at our fleet; up, lest they destroy our ships, and there be no way by which we may retreat. Gird on your armour at once while I call our people together."' (Hom. Il. 16.112-124).
Very Fine; slightly rough green patina. Extremely Rare; no other examples on CoinArchives.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group LLC;
Ex Numismatik Naumann, Auction 58, 1 October 2017, lot 257.
The mint of Ilium had been idle during the civil war that followed the death of Commodus in AD 192, but when Septimius Severus emerged as victor new coins gradually began to appear. While Septimius' wife Julia Domna occupies the obverse of this coin, its reverse recalls a moment from the city's mythological past that had taken root in narratives of the Trojan War. Hector is depicted in the moment before he launched the momentous assault that finally penetrated the Achaean rampart: holding a shield to protect himself Hector strides forward determined to plant a flaming torch into the prow of an Achaean ship, a moment related in Homer's Iliad: 'And now, tell me, O Muses that hold your mansions on Olympus, how fire was thrown upon the ships of the Achaeans. Hector came close up and let drive with his great sword at the ashen spear of Ajax. He cut it clean in two just behind where the point was fastened on to the shaft of the spear. Ajax, therefore, had now nothing but a headless spear, while the bronze point flew some way off and came ringing down on to the ground. Ajax knew the hand of heaven in this, and was dismayed at seeing that Zeus had now left him utterly defenceless and was willing victory for the Trojans. Therefore, he drew back, and the Trojans flung fire upon the ship which was at once wrapped in flame.
The fire was now flaring about the ship's stern, whereon Achilles smote his two thighs and said to Patroklos, "Up, noble horseman, for I see the glare of hostile fire at our fleet; up, lest they destroy our ships, and there be no way by which we may retreat. Gird on your armour at once while I call our people together."' (Hom. Il. 16.112-124).