Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction 53E 5 Dec 2020
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Domitian (81-96). AE As, 88 AD. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII CENS PER PP. Laureate head of Domitian right. / Domitian sacrificing over garlanded altar with harpist and lyre players; on left, Tiber (?) reclining left; in background, hexastyle temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. RIC II 387; C. 92. AE. 10.44 g. 29.00 mm. R. A very attractive example of this rare and interesting architectural type. Marbled deep olive and lighter green patina. VF/Good VF.
Some traditions ascribed the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill to Tarquinius Priscus. Its Etruscan origins are confirmed by the presence of three cellae,
for Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, since triads were not indigenous to the Roman religion, although they existed in the Etruscan pantheon.
The first temple, which burned to the ground in 83 BC, appears on denarii of M. Volteius, 74 BC (see lot n° 280). The second temple, possibly depicted on denarii of Petillius Capitolinus in 43 BC was struck by lightning in 26 and in 9 BC and was completely destroyed by fire in 69 AD, during the fighting between the followers of Vitellius and Vespasian.
The third temple, rebuilt in 75, appears on sestertii and asses of Vespasian and Titus from 71 to 77 AD. It lasted for only five years, being destroyed in the fire of 80.
The fourth temple, here depicted, was rebuilt in 82 by Domitian, in the grandiose manner associated with all his works.It survived for well over 400 years, being left to decay gradually during the early Christian period. (Freely adapted from P. Hill, The Monuments of Ancient Rome as Coin Types, p.24).
Some traditions ascribed the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill to Tarquinius Priscus. Its Etruscan origins are confirmed by the presence of three cellae,
for Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, since triads were not indigenous to the Roman religion, although they existed in the Etruscan pantheon.
The first temple, which burned to the ground in 83 BC, appears on denarii of M. Volteius, 74 BC (see lot n° 280). The second temple, possibly depicted on denarii of Petillius Capitolinus in 43 BC was struck by lightning in 26 and in 9 BC and was completely destroyed by fire in 69 AD, during the fighting between the followers of Vitellius and Vespasian.
The third temple, rebuilt in 75, appears on sestertii and asses of Vespasian and Titus from 71 to 77 AD. It lasted for only five years, being destroyed in the fire of 80.
The fourth temple, here depicted, was rebuilt in 82 by Domitian, in the grandiose manner associated with all his works.It survived for well over 400 years, being left to decay gradually during the early Christian period. (Freely adapted from P. Hill, The Monuments of Ancient Rome as Coin Types, p.24).