Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Caracalla augustus, 198 – 217.
Aureus 215, AV 7.21 g. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P XVIII – COS IIII P P Caracalla in military attire, standing l., sacrificing over lighted altar before domed temple of Vesta, behind him pontifex, wearing apex, and a child; before him, two Vestales and a child. C 350 var. (not draped). BMC p. 458 note * var. (not draped). RIC 272b var. (not draped). Calicó 2735a
An apparently unique variety of an extremely rare and interesting type. A bold portrait
perfectly centred on a very large flan and an interesting and finely detailed
reverse composition. Lovely reddish tone and extremely fine
Ex Giessener Münzhandlung Dieter Gorny 82, 1997, 307; Giessener Münzhandlung Dieter Gorny 100, 1999, 1089; Rauch 82, 2008, 397 and Rauch 103, 2017, 432 sales.
Late in his reign Caracalla was afflicted with megalomania. He began to consider himself Alexander novus, a second Alexander the Great, and he satisfied this inclination in 214 by mounting an expedition against the Parthians in imitation of Alexander's famous invasion of Persia nearly 550 years before. He first recruited a phalanx of 16,000 men whom he outfitted just as Alexander's soldiers had been, and whom he had led by men with the same names as Alexander's subordinates. He then followed the same path as Alexander, visiting Troy, where he held military exercises to honour heroes of the Trojan War, casting himself in the role of Achilles. In 215, in the midst of his operations in the East, he visited Alexander's tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. His long-anticipated invasion of Parthia began in 216 – an ideal moment since the kingdom was then divided between rival siblings, Artabanus IV and Vologases VI. Perfect timing aside, Caracalla could not realize his Alexandrine dream, for he was murdered near Carrhae on April 8, 217 by his praetorian prefect and successor, Macrinus. The reverse scene on this aureus perhaps shows sacrifices Caracalla had made at the Temple of Vesta before departing on campaigns, though he may have been absent from Rome from 213 until the end of his life. Motivation for this type may also have come from his mother Julia Domna, who travelled with Caracalla on his campaign, and who played a key role in his administration. She was especially devoted to the cult of Vesta, which she commemorated extensively on coinage struck in her name. Always a religious and superstitious woman, Domna's interest may have been piqued when in 191, not long before her husband rose to imperial power, a slight earthquake and a devastating fire caused great damage to Rome: the Temple of Peace, part of the imperial palace, and the Temple of Vesta were among the casualties. The destruction of the Temple of Vesta was so complete that the Palladium – the most sacred of Roman relics – was exposed, and had to be rushed along the Sacred Way by Vestal Virgins, who deposited it in part of the palace which had survived the conflagration. Upon becoming Augusta in 193, Domna took it upon herself to restore the temple, which, apart from some modern restoration, is the version that survives to this day.
Aureus 215, AV 7.21 g. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P XVIII – COS IIII P P Caracalla in military attire, standing l., sacrificing over lighted altar before domed temple of Vesta, behind him pontifex, wearing apex, and a child; before him, two Vestales and a child. C 350 var. (not draped). BMC p. 458 note * var. (not draped). RIC 272b var. (not draped). Calicó 2735a
An apparently unique variety of an extremely rare and interesting type. A bold portrait
perfectly centred on a very large flan and an interesting and finely detailed
reverse composition. Lovely reddish tone and extremely fine
Ex Giessener Münzhandlung Dieter Gorny 82, 1997, 307; Giessener Münzhandlung Dieter Gorny 100, 1999, 1089; Rauch 82, 2008, 397 and Rauch 103, 2017, 432 sales.
Late in his reign Caracalla was afflicted with megalomania. He began to consider himself Alexander novus, a second Alexander the Great, and he satisfied this inclination in 214 by mounting an expedition against the Parthians in imitation of Alexander's famous invasion of Persia nearly 550 years before. He first recruited a phalanx of 16,000 men whom he outfitted just as Alexander's soldiers had been, and whom he had led by men with the same names as Alexander's subordinates. He then followed the same path as Alexander, visiting Troy, where he held military exercises to honour heroes of the Trojan War, casting himself in the role of Achilles. In 215, in the midst of his operations in the East, he visited Alexander's tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. His long-anticipated invasion of Parthia began in 216 – an ideal moment since the kingdom was then divided between rival siblings, Artabanus IV and Vologases VI. Perfect timing aside, Caracalla could not realize his Alexandrine dream, for he was murdered near Carrhae on April 8, 217 by his praetorian prefect and successor, Macrinus. The reverse scene on this aureus perhaps shows sacrifices Caracalla had made at the Temple of Vesta before departing on campaigns, though he may have been absent from Rome from 213 until the end of his life. Motivation for this type may also have come from his mother Julia Domna, who travelled with Caracalla on his campaign, and who played a key role in his administration. She was especially devoted to the cult of Vesta, which she commemorated extensively on coinage struck in her name. Always a religious and superstitious woman, Domna's interest may have been piqued when in 191, not long before her husband rose to imperial power, a slight earthquake and a devastating fire caused great damage to Rome: the Temple of Peace, part of the imperial palace, and the Temple of Vesta were among the casualties. The destruction of the Temple of Vesta was so complete that the Palladium – the most sacred of Roman relics – was exposed, and had to be rushed along the Sacred Way by Vestal Virgins, who deposited it in part of the palace which had survived the conflagration. Upon becoming Augusta in 193, Domna took it upon herself to restore the temple, which, apart from some modern restoration, is the version that survives to this day.