Chaponnière & Firmenich SA
Auction 13 16 May 2021
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ROMAN EMPIRE. Egypt. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm 135-137, Alexandria. Antinous. RPC 6228; Blum 2. BR. 18.85 g. G plugged
From the J. M. A. L. collection formed between 1970 and 2000.
Very little monetary representation of Antinoos has survived today. They are exceptionally rare. Popularized by Marguerite Yourcenar's novel, little is known about the life of this young man from Bithynia. He was probably born between the years of 110-112. He probably met Hadrian during his last trip to Claudiopolis in 123. He became, during the Emperor's travels, his darling and lover. His drowning death in 130 near the city of Hermopolis Magna in Egypt raises a number of questions. A number of researchers hypothesize that Antinoos chose to throw himself into the Nile in a rite to prolong the years of his lover's life. Hadrian, mad with grief at the loss of his beloved, founded the city of Antinoupolis on the site of his disappearance and encouraged divine worship of the person of Antinoos.
From the J. M. A. L. collection formed between 1970 and 2000.
Very little monetary representation of Antinoos has survived today. They are exceptionally rare. Popularized by Marguerite Yourcenar's novel, little is known about the life of this young man from Bithynia. He was probably born between the years of 110-112. He probably met Hadrian during his last trip to Claudiopolis in 123. He became, during the Emperor's travels, his darling and lover. His drowning death in 130 near the city of Hermopolis Magna in Egypt raises a number of questions. A number of researchers hypothesize that Antinoos chose to throw himself into the Nile in a rite to prolong the years of his lover's life. Hadrian, mad with grief at the loss of his beloved, founded the city of Antinoupolis on the site of his disappearance and encouraged divine worship of the person of Antinoos.