Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Diocletian AV Aureus. Cyzicus, AD 286-287. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / FATIS VICTRICIBVS, the Parcae standing facing, holding three cornucopiae and two rudders; SC in exergue. RIC 294; C. 58; Depeyrot 5/5; Calicó 4449. 5.36g, 20mm, 6h.
Near Mint State; obv. field somewhat buffed.
Ex Adolph Hess AG - Bank Leu AG, Auction 24, 16 April 1964, lot 344.
The Parcae (also known as Fata = Fates) often appeared in Roman literature and art as goddesses who represented destiny over mortal life by spinning threads which represented the length and quality of an individual's life. Numismatically, they appear only on very rare coins of Diocletian and Maximian with the legend FATIS VICTRICIBVS, 'to the Victorious Fates', a title also given to other goddesses such as Venus Victrix and Diana Victrix. To add 'victorious' in this context is perhaps the emperor declaring that the overall conqueror of humans is destiny, as represented by the three embodiments of fate. Since the reign of Diocletian was preceded by a period of instability and economic depression, perhaps the use of a novel reverse type depicting victorious Fates could be interpreted as the heralding of a new era of stability and peace and the promise of its continuation.
The Fates' individual names were Clotho, who spun the wool, Lachesis, who measured the thread, and Atropos, who cut it off at the appointed length. They were also known as Nona, Decima and Morta, names which related more to their presence at birth (the first names referencing the month of birth after pregnancy, the third relating to stillbirth). It was perhaps under Diocletian that a temple erected for the worship of the Parcae was dedicated at Rome (see Procopius, Gothic Wars V.25).
The Parcae are often represented as cruel goddesses who care little for the lives they determine: "While the Fatae permit, live happily; life speeds on with hurried step, and with winged days the wheel of the headlong year is turned. The harsh sisters ply their tasks, yet do they not spin backward the threads of life. But men are driven, each one uncertain of his own, to meet the speeding fates; we seek the Stygian waves of our own accord . . . At the appointed time the Parcae come. No one may linger when they command, no one may postpone the allotted day; the urn receives the nations hurried to their doom." (Seneca, Hercules Furens 177ff).
This reverse type has been found on aurei from two mints; Antioch and Cyzicus. Only slight differences separate the mints but the most obvious is the appearance of SC in the exergue for Cyzicus. RIC explain that the attribution is beyond doubt since comparison of the portrait with the antoniniani of this mint demonstrate a distinct similarity which can also be found through studying the portrait styles at this mint for previous emperors. RIC concludes that coins such as the present example "are the final development of a gradually improving style" (RIC V p. 215) at Cyzicus, as demonstrated by this stunning example.
Near Mint State; obv. field somewhat buffed.
Ex Adolph Hess AG - Bank Leu AG, Auction 24, 16 April 1964, lot 344.
The Parcae (also known as Fata = Fates) often appeared in Roman literature and art as goddesses who represented destiny over mortal life by spinning threads which represented the length and quality of an individual's life. Numismatically, they appear only on very rare coins of Diocletian and Maximian with the legend FATIS VICTRICIBVS, 'to the Victorious Fates', a title also given to other goddesses such as Venus Victrix and Diana Victrix. To add 'victorious' in this context is perhaps the emperor declaring that the overall conqueror of humans is destiny, as represented by the three embodiments of fate. Since the reign of Diocletian was preceded by a period of instability and economic depression, perhaps the use of a novel reverse type depicting victorious Fates could be interpreted as the heralding of a new era of stability and peace and the promise of its continuation.
The Fates' individual names were Clotho, who spun the wool, Lachesis, who measured the thread, and Atropos, who cut it off at the appointed length. They were also known as Nona, Decima and Morta, names which related more to their presence at birth (the first names referencing the month of birth after pregnancy, the third relating to stillbirth). It was perhaps under Diocletian that a temple erected for the worship of the Parcae was dedicated at Rome (see Procopius, Gothic Wars V.25).
The Parcae are often represented as cruel goddesses who care little for the lives they determine: "While the Fatae permit, live happily; life speeds on with hurried step, and with winged days the wheel of the headlong year is turned. The harsh sisters ply their tasks, yet do they not spin backward the threads of life. But men are driven, each one uncertain of his own, to meet the speeding fates; we seek the Stygian waves of our own accord . . . At the appointed time the Parcae come. No one may linger when they command, no one may postpone the allotted day; the urn receives the nations hurried to their doom." (Seneca, Hercules Furens 177ff).
This reverse type has been found on aurei from two mints; Antioch and Cyzicus. Only slight differences separate the mints but the most obvious is the appearance of SC in the exergue for Cyzicus. RIC explain that the attribution is beyond doubt since comparison of the portrait with the antoniniani of this mint demonstrate a distinct similarity which can also be found through studying the portrait styles at this mint for previous emperors. RIC concludes that coins such as the present example "are the final development of a gradually improving style" (RIC V p. 215) at Cyzicus, as demonstrated by this stunning example.