Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 85 17 Jun 2021
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Caracalla Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 215. M AVREL A[NTONINVS PIVS AVG GE]RM, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / [P M TR P XVIII IMP] III COS IIII P P, emperor standing to left, foot on crocodile and holding spear, opposite Isis, advancing to right, holding two corn ears and sistrum; S C in exergue. RIC IV 544; BMCRE 288. 18.61g, 30mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine. Scarce.
From a private German collection.
This type records the infamous visit of Caracalla to Alexandria, the capital of the province of Egypt. Since the conclusion of his campaign against the Alamanni in 213-4, it had become apparent that the emperor was unhealthily obsessed with the great Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great. At this point he appears to have begun openly emulating Alexander in his personal style. Indeed, Cassius Dio (78.7-78.23) relates that "he was so enthusiastic about Alexander that he used certain weapons and cups which he believed had once been his, and he also set up many likenesses of him both in the camps and in Rome itself. He organised a phalanx, composed entirely of Macedonians, sixteen thousand strong, named it 'Alexander's phalanx', and equipped it with the arms that warriors had used in his day."
Caracalla's visit in 215 to Alexandria while on his way east should then have been a happy occasion. However the emperor, "hearing that he was ill-spoken of and ridiculed by them for various reasons, not the least of which was the murder of his brother... concealing his wrath and pretending that he longed to see them... first greeted [the leading citizens] cordially... and then put them to death. Then, having arrayed his whole army, he marched into the city, after first notifying all the inhabitants to remain at home and after occupying all the streets and all the roofs as well. And, to pass over the details of the calamities that then befell the wretched city, he slaughtered so many persons that he did not even venture to say anything about their number, but wrote to the senate that it was of no interest how many of them or who had died, since all had deserved to suffer this fate."
Near Very Fine. Scarce.
From a private German collection.
This type records the infamous visit of Caracalla to Alexandria, the capital of the province of Egypt. Since the conclusion of his campaign against the Alamanni in 213-4, it had become apparent that the emperor was unhealthily obsessed with the great Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great. At this point he appears to have begun openly emulating Alexander in his personal style. Indeed, Cassius Dio (78.7-78.23) relates that "he was so enthusiastic about Alexander that he used certain weapons and cups which he believed had once been his, and he also set up many likenesses of him both in the camps and in Rome itself. He organised a phalanx, composed entirely of Macedonians, sixteen thousand strong, named it 'Alexander's phalanx', and equipped it with the arms that warriors had used in his day."
Caracalla's visit in 215 to Alexandria while on his way east should then have been a happy occasion. However the emperor, "hearing that he was ill-spoken of and ridiculed by them for various reasons, not the least of which was the murder of his brother... concealing his wrath and pretending that he longed to see them... first greeted [the leading citizens] cordially... and then put them to death. Then, having arrayed his whole army, he marched into the city, after first notifying all the inhabitants to remain at home and after occupying all the streets and all the roofs as well. And, to pass over the details of the calamities that then befell the wretched city, he slaughtered so many persons that he did not even venture to say anything about their number, but wrote to the senate that it was of no interest how many of them or who had died, since all had deserved to suffer this fate."