Roma + Jupiter Silver Roman Deities Rome + Zeus BC121 Start Price USD 169.99 Current Price USD 169.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 End Time Friday, December 26, 2008 Location Lummi Island See more about 'Roma + Jupiter Silver Roman Deities Rome + Zeus BC121' Description Your browser does not support JavaScript. To view this page, enable JavaScript if it is disabled or upgrade your browser. Click here to see almost 800 archaeology/ancient history books and 500 authentic ancient artifacts on our eBay store! Silver Roman Denarius of the Goddess “Roman” (Obverse) in Winged Helmet and Jupiter (“Zeus” to the Greeks) Driving a Four-Horse Chariot (Reverse); Struck in Rome 121 B.C. OBVERSE DEPICTION: The bust of the Goddess Roma in a winged helmet (with the letter “x” behind her head). REVERSE INSCRIPTION: “CARB”. “ROMA”. REVERSE DEPICTION: The God Jupiter, driving a four-horse chariot (“quadriga”), lightening bolt (“fulmen”) in one hand, scepter in the other hand. ATTRIBUTION: City of Rome 121 B.C. by Moneyer Gnaus Papirius Carbo (Counsel of 120 B.C.). SIZE/MEASUREMENTS: Diameter: 20 * 19 millimeters. Weight: 3.83 grams. NOTE: Coin is mounted free of charge into your choice of pendant settings (shown in sterling silver pendant), and includes a sterling silver chain in your choice of 16", 18", or 20" length, (details below or click here). For a more authentic touch, we also have available handcrafted Greek black leather cords. We can reverse coin in mounting if you prefer opposite side showing front. DETAIL: This is a very handsome and somewhat uncommon silver denarius produced in the imperial city of Rome itself, sometime during the year 123 B.C., under the authority of the Roman Senate, by the “moneyer” Gnaus Papirius Carbo, whose name is on the reverse of the coin beneath the two galloping horses (“CARB”). Aside from being a prominent citizen of the Roman Republic, Papirius was also Consul during the year 120 B.C. (more about Papirius here. The coin is in good condition, only modest wear from circulation in ancient Rome, the legends and themes very clear and distinct. It was well struck both front and back, a little off-center as was commonly the case, but on a reasonably generous planchet (blank). Unlike many coins of the era, even if a little off-center, the strike caught almost the entirely of both the legends and the themes, and this is applicable to both the obverse as well as the reverse. The only aspects which are missing as a result of the slight low and left strike is the wheel of Jupiter’s chariot, and the legend “Roma” is only faintly discernible, fragmentary, due both to the low strike as well as circulatory wear. Nonetheless it is a very handsome and above-average strike on a reasonably generous and quite heavy planchet. The obverse of the coin depicts the bust of the Roman Goddess “Roma”, Goddess of the Romans, of the city of Rome, and of the Roman Empire (more history below). She is depicted wearing the winged helmet of Mercury, alluding to her role as herald of victory. Below her chin, almost to the edge of the coin is the mark “*”, significance unknown, but commonly found on all of the specimens of this particular issue. The reverse of the coin depicts the God Jupiter (or “Zeus” as he was known to the Greeks). Jupiter is depicted with a knobbed sceptre in one hand, a lightening bolt (“fulmen”) in the other hand, driving a “quadriga”, a four-hourse chariot Beneath the horses are two inscriptions; the first being “CARB”; which is short for Gnaus Papirius Carbo. Papirius was a moneyer (“coinage manufacturer”) producing coinage under the authority of the Roman Senate (for more about Roman moneyers see here). Beneath his name and only partly discernible is the legend “Roma”, the Roman name for the city of Roma (not the tomato). The Goddess Roma, depicted on the front of the coin, was the personification Rome. A personification isn’t really a deity or goddess, it is rather a symbol much like the Statue of Liberty symbolizes both America and the abstract concept of freedom and liberty. In Roman context, these are the values at the heart of the Via Romana, the Roman Way, and are thought to be those qualities which gave the Roman Republic the moral strength to conquer and civilize the world. In this case, Roma represented precisely to the Romans what the State of Liberty means to Americans, and what Britannia means to the British. It is more than merely a national symbol. The Goddess Roma was the deification of the spirit of the Roman Empire Empire. Roma stood for all the strong and benevolent power of the Empire. From the earliest recorded history it was the presentiment of Romans that Rome would be “the eternal city”. And so from the spirit of the eternal city, from the “genius of Rome”, they created “Roma”. They paid divine honors to her; erected temples and altars to her honor; created a priesthood to perform sacrifices to this deity of their own manufacture. Roma is usually portrayed helmeted, in armor, often accompanied by a shield, typically holding a small figure (trophy) of Victory (the Greek Goddess “Nike”), a wreath, or a parazonium (a short sword generally worn by Roman military officers) or less commonly, a scepter or spear (or “hasta pura”). If depicted holding a statue of Victory, oftentimes the statue itself is depicted holding the wand of Mercury (the Greek God Hermes); an allusion to her role as herald of victory, and in many coins of the Republic she is depicted wearing the winged helmet of Mercury. The “hasta pura” Roma is often depicted holding is a type of ceremonial lance (spear, pike) without an iron head, oftentimes with a knob at the end, the forerunner of the standard pilum issued to Roman soldiers. The hasta was derived by the Roman from the Etrurians, who called it a “corim”. By the Sabines it was called a “quiris”, their king called “coritos” as the spear was to them an attribute of royalty. The Hasta was the symbol not only of power, fortitute and valor, but also of majesty and even divinity. It is one of the insignia of the Gods, and of the Emperors and Augustae after their apotheosis, implying that they had become objects of worship. It is generally found in the hands of female divinities, as the war-spear is in those of warriors and heroes. The first temple to Roma was erected in Smyrna as far back as 195 BC. But the worship of Roma was the first step toward the deification of the Roman Emperors of the future. It was no great step to think of the spirit of Rome being incarnated in one man, especially someone as charismatic as Caius Julius Caesar, and indeed, the worship of the Emperor began with the worship of Julius Caesar after his death. In 29 B.C. Emperor Augustus granted to the provinces of Asia and Bithynia permission to erect temples in Ephesus and Nicea for the joint worship of the goddess Roma and the deified Julius Caesar. At these shrines Roman citizens were encouraged and even exhorted to worship. The step was taken when Augustus gave permission to Roman Provincial Authorities in Pergamum in Asia and in Nicomedia in Bithynia, to erect temples for the worship of Roma and Augustus himself. So Roma was worshipped as a deity, though principally in the provinces. She was worshipped as a deity as early as the second century B.C. in many cities in Asia Minor. The goddess Roma was still a typical feature of Roman coinage even after the empire became Christian, as the goddess was not so much considered a pagan deity as she was considered the personification of Rome. In Roman art Roma was typically depicted with imagery closely akin to that of Tyche (the Greek goddess of prosperity), with a mural crown on her head and with all of the attributes of prosperity and power. Under Augustus (Julius Caesar’s heir) her cult in Hellenic cities was united partly with that of (the deified) Augustus, partly with that of (the deified) Julius Caesar. In Rome itself Roma was typically depicted in a military theme, sometimes with imagery closely akin to that of Minerva (Roman Goddess of War; from the Greek Athena). Between the old Forum and the Coliseum the Emperor Hadrian erected a temple in honor of Roma and Venus, as ancestors of the Roman people. Following the conquest and annexation of Galatia (Asia Minor) under Caesar Octavianus Augustus in 25 B.C., a magnificent temple was erected in Ancyra (the administrative capital of the newly established Roman province) in honor of the Emperor and of the Goddess Roma, divine personification of the conquering city. The temple still stands in the capital city of Ankara, Turkey. Finally in the city of Rome itself a temple to Roma (as well as a temple to Venus) were situated on the Valia Hill in Rome. Emperor Hadrianus started building the Temple of Roma in 121 A.D., sited between the old Forum and the Coliseum, and the temple was inaugurated around 140 A.D. by Emperor Antonius Pius. Both Hadrian and Antoninus Pius struck a series of coins commemorating the construction of the temple, with the legend, “Romae Aeternae”, from whence it is believed came the slogan, “Rome, the eternal city”. The temple eventually became known as the templum urbis, and the ruins still remain until today. The “reverse” of the coin depicts the God Jupiter, driving a four-horse chariot (“quadriga), with a scepter in his one hand, and a thunder bolt (“fulmen”) in the other hand. Jupiter, also known as "Jove", and was "Optimus Maximus", the "best and greatest" of all Roman deities. Jupiter was borrowed from the Greeks where he was known as "Zeus", the son of Jupiter and Rhea. In ancient Greece as well Zeus was the "father" of the gods. Jupiter was most frequently depicted as a robust nude (or semi-nude) male figure with a beard, often a mantle hanging from his arm, wearing a laurel or olive wreath (or a band) around his head. Most frequently he was depicted with a thunderbolt (a “fulmen”) in his right hand and a sceptre (or “hasta pura”) in his left hand. He was often portrayed sitting on a throne. Jupiter was infrequently portrayed holding a small figure (trophy) of Victory (the Greek Goddess “Nike”) or his attendant eagle, but this is usually in place of the thunderbolt. In this characterization he is Jupiter Victor, the one who leads the Roman army to victory. Also on occasion Jupiter is portrayed with an attendant eagle, though most often the eagle is at his feet. And in a few rare coins, Jupiter is depicted as a child riding a goat, allegory to the fable of Jupiter being suckled by the goat Amalthaea. The titles attributed to Zeus were numerous, and included "Cvstos", preserver of the emperor. Other titles included Conservatori (protector), Liberator, Propvgnator or Tvtatori (defender), Stator (the stayer of armies preparing to flee in the face of the enemy), Tonans (Thunderer), Tvtator (guardian), Victori (victor), and Vltor (avenger). Jupiter also took the form of the gods of other sultures such as Jupiter Ammon and Jupiter Serapis. As Jupiter Optimus Maximus (“all-good, all-powerful”) he was not only ruler of the universe, but also functioned as the god of the state who distributed laws, controlled the realm and made his will known through oracles. There were many statues and temples dedicated to Jupiter throughout the Roman Empire, but especially in Rome itself. Jupiter was held as the bringer of light, the cause of the dawn of each morning, as well as the full moon at night. On the occasion of a full moon, “ides”, Jupiter’s priest made a special sacrifice of a white lamb. Jupiter controlled all weather, especially in his capacity of “Fulminator” (“flasher of lightening”), as “Tonans” (‘thunderer”), the bringer of the fierce storms central Italy (and Rome) is notorious for. Jupiter was of course also regarded as the god of rain, for which in Rome there was a festival of supplication. Naturally he had wide appeal through the countryside, where farmers had special sacrificial feasts prior to sowing and then prior to harvesting the crop. Jupiter was the god of wine, and second only to Mars, the decider of battles and the bringer of victory. As one who insured victory and truth, he was the most important god of oaths (“by Jove”), and his name was especially invoked as a witness to peace treaties. The chief seat of worship was of course the city of Rome. He had a temple on the Capitol, together with Juno and Minerva, but he was the most prominent of this Capitoline triad. His temple was not only the most important sanctuary in Rome; it was also the center of political life. Here official offerings were made, treaties were signed and wars were declared, and the triumphant generals of the Roman army came here to give their thanks. It was there that the great earthenware statue was enthroned, standing in the center of the temple begun by the last of the Roman Kings, and dedicated in the first year of the Roman Republic. Though the temple and statue were both destroyed in a number of fires, the final version built by Domitian in 82 A.D. stood until as late as the ninth century A.D. Moreso than any other in the pantheon of Roman Deities, Jupiter came to represent the Roman faith. In the provinces he was often identified with the chief native god, such as the sun god of Heliopolis and Doliche in Syria. He was similarly identified with many Celtic and German gods, especially as a protector of travelers. In Roman coinage of the Republic era Jupiter was often depicted driving a quadriga. The quadriga was a chariot drawn by four horses (or in myth four of various other forms of animals), and was used ceremonially for the triumph (parade) of a general or emperor, in a consular procession, to convey the victor(s) of public games, and also in the funeral procession of an emperor. In mythology it was often used as a conveyance by various deities. A triumph was a ceremonial procession of both civil and religious significance granted by the Senate to an especially able general who had won a significant victory. The triumph parade proceeded through the city of Rome itself to publicly honor the general and to display/parade the glories and trophies of Roman victory, and the general was given the title of “Imperator”. Jupiter is also generally depicted wearing either a laurel or olive wreath around his head. This wreath of laurel leaves is an attribute of the Graeco-Roman God Apollo, and is a symbol of victory. In Greek Mythology, Apollo fell in love with the legendary mountain nymph Daphene. Daphene, anxious to escape Apollo’s amorous interests, asked the Gods of Olympus to change her into a bay tree. Thereafter Apollo always wore a laurel wreath made from the leaves of her sacred tree to show is never failing love for her. Apollo also declared that wreaths were to be awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions and poetic meets under his care. Laurel wreaths became the prize awarded in athletic, musical, and poetic competitions. For instance by the 6th century B.C., the winners of the ancient Greek Pythian Games (forerunner of the Olympics and held every four years at Delphi) were awarded a wreath of laurel leaves. Ancient Greek coins from at least as far back as the second century B.C. depict laurel wreaths worn by not only Apollo, but also Athena, Saturn, Jupiter, Victory (Nike), and Salus. Eventually the custom of awarding a wreath of laurel leaves was extended from victors of athletic events to the victors of military endeavors. The symbolism was inherited (or mimicked) by the Romans, to whom the bestowal of a laurel wreath became the sign of a victorious general acclaimed by his troops. After defeating Pompey, the Roman Senate not only voted Julius Caesar Imperator for life, but also awarded him the right to wear the laurel wreath in perpetuity. From that point on it is said that Julius Caesar always appeared in public laureate, and all of his coinage depicted Julius Caesar wearing the laurel leaf crown. Thus the laurel leaf crown became associated not only with the victorious general, but became a symbol of the office of Caesar and Imperator. There were other types of wreaths in Graeco-Roman Mythology as well. Dionysus was oftentimes depicted either with a wreath of ivy or with a wreath composed of grape leaves. Zeus was oftentimes depicted with a wreath of oak leaves, and wreathes of roses became associated with Aphrodite. As well, funeral wreaths became a Roman custom, and were often carved into the decorative elements of a sarcophagus. Your purchase includes, upon request, mounting of this coin in either pendant style “a” or “d” as shown here. Pendant style “a” is a clear, airtight acrylic capsule designed to afford your ancient coin maximum protection from both impact damage and degradation. It is the most “politically correct” mounting. Style “d” is a sterling silver pendant. Either pendant styles include a sterling silver chain (16", 18", or 20"). Upon request, there are also an almost infinite variety of other pendants which might well suit both you and your ancient coin pendant, and include both sterling silver and solid 14kt gold mountings, including those shown here. As well, upon request, we can also make available a huge variety of chains in lengths from 16 to 30 inches, in metals including sterling silver, 14kt gold fill, and solid 14kt gold. HISTORY: Coins came into being during the seventh century B.C. in Lydia and Ionia, part of the Greek world, and were made from a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. Each coin blank was heated and struck with a hammer between two engraved dies. Unlike modern coins, they were not uniformly round. Each coin was wonderfully unique. Coinage quickly spread to the island and city states of Western Greece. Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.) then spread the concept of coinage throughout the lands he conquered. Ancient coins are archaeological treasures from the past. They were buried for safekeeping because of their value and have been slowly uncovered throughout modern history. Oftentimes soldiers the night before battle would bury their coins and jewelry, hoping and believing that they would live long enough to recover them, and to return to their family. Killed in battle, these little treasure hoards remain until today scattered throughout Western and Eastern Europe, even into the Levant and Persia. As well, everyone from merchants to housewives found the safest place to keep their savings was buried in a pot, or in some other secretive location. If they met an unexpected end, the whereabouts of the merchants trade goods or the household’s sugar jar money might never be known. Recently a commercial excavation for a new building foundation in London unearthed a Roman mosaic floor. When archaeologists removed the floor, they found 7,000 silver denarii secreted beneath the floor. Even the Roman mints buried their produce. There were over 300 mints in the Roman Empire striking coinage. Hoards of as many as 40,000 coins have been found in a single location near these ancient sites. Ancient coins reflect the artistic, political, religious, and economic themes of their times. The acquisition of ancient coins is a unique opportunity to collect art which has been appreciated throughout the centuries. Coins of the Roman Empire most frequently depicted the Emperor on the front of the coins, and were issued in gold, silver, and bronze. The imperial family was also frequently depicted on the coinage, and, in some cases, coins depicted the progression of an emperor from boyhood through maturity. The reverse side of often served as an important means of political propaganda, frequently extolling the virtues of the emperor or commemorating his victories. Many public works and architectural achievements such as the Coliseum and the Circus Maximus were also depicted. Important political events such as alliances between cities were recorded on coinage. Many usurpers to the throne, otherwise unrecorded in history, are known only through their coins. Interestingly, a visually stunning portrayal of the decline of the Roman Empire is reflected in her coinage. The early Roman bronze coins were the size of a half-dollar. Within 100-150 years those had shrunk to the size of a nickel. And within another 100-150 years, to perhaps half the size of a dime. One of the greatest civilizations of recorded history was the ancient Roman Empire. In exchange for a very modest amount of contemporary currency, you can possess a small part of that great civilization in the form of a 2,000 year old piece of jewelry. The Roman civilization, in relative terms the greatest military power in the history of the world, was founded in the 8th century (B.C.). In the 4th Century (B.C.) the Romans were the dominant power on the Italian Peninsula, having defeated the Etruscans and Celts. In the 3rd Century (B.C.) the Romans conquered Sicily, and in the following century defeated Carthage, and controlled the Greece. Throughout the remainder of the 2nd Century (B.C.) the Roman Empire continued its gradual conquest of the Hellenistic (Greek Colonial) World by conquering Syria and Macedonia; and finally came to control Egypt in the 1st Century (B.C.). The pinnacle of Roman power was achieved in the 1st Century (A.D.) as Rome conquered much of Britain and Western Europe. For a brief time, the era of “Pax Romana”, a time of peace and consolidation reigned. Civilian emperors were the rule, and the culture flourished with a great deal of liberty enjoyed by the average Roman Citizen. However within 200 years the Roman Empire was in a state of steady decay, attacked by Germans, Goths, and Persians. In the 4th Century (A.D.) the Roman Empire was split between East and West. The Great Emperor Constantine temporarily arrested the decay of the Empire, but within a hundred years after his death the Persians captured Mesopotamia, Vandals infiltrated Gaul and Spain, and the Goths even sacked Rome itself. Most historians date the end of the Western Roman Empire to 476 (A.D.) when Emperor Romulus Augustus was deposed. However the Eastern Roman Empire (The Byzantine Empire) survived until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D. At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched from Britain in the West, throughout most of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, and into Asia Minor. Valuables such as coins and jewelry were commonly buried for safekeeping, and inevitably these ancient citizens would succumb to one of the many perils of the ancient world. Oftentimes the survivors of these individuals did not know where the valuables had been buried, and today, two thousand years later caches of coins and rings are still commonly uncovered throughout Europe and Asia Minor. Roman Soldiers oftentimes came to possess large quantities of “booty” from their plunderous conquests, and routinely buried their treasure for safekeeping before they went into battle. If they met their end in battle, most often the whereabouts of their treasure was likewise, unknown. Throughout history these treasures have been inadvertently discovered by farmers in their fields, uncovered by erosion, and the target of unsystematic searches by treasure seekers. With the introduction of metal detectors and other modern technologies to Eastern Europe in the past three or four decades, an amazing number of new finds are seeing the light of day 2,000 years or more after they were originally hidden by their past owners. And with the liberalization of post-Soviet Eastern Europe, new markets have opened eager to share in these treasures of the Roman Empire. Domestic shipping is $3.99 for first class mail or $6.99 for Priority Mail. Domestic rates include USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Canadian shipments are $3.99 for Air Mail; International shipments are $4.99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA). I can add most other items I sell to the shipment for only $0.99 each. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. Insurance is available for both domestic and international shipments ($6 for domestic shipments; $12 for international shipments; ONLY required when PayPal is used – you may deduct this amount if you prefer an uninsured shipment AND you pay by check or money order). We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. If you intend to pay via PayPal, please be aware that PayPal Protection Policies REQUIRE insured, trackable shipments. If you do NOT want an insured shipment, send us a check or money order and deduct the invoiced insurance premium. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. I prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment – and I will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no “holds”). If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price. Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world – but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the “business” of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly – even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE." Place a Bid!