Silver Denarius of Emperor Hadrian, 125 CE - 134 CE
Silver
C.3049
Obverse: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS; Bust of the Emperor Crowned in a Laurel Wreat Reverse: COS III; Neptune, Holding a Trident and Acrostolium, Standing with Foot on Pro Neptune was the Roman...
Obverse: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS; Bust of the Emperor Crowned in a Laurel Wreat
Reverse: COS III; Neptune, Holding a Trident and Acrostolium, Standing with Foot on Pro
Neptune was the Roman God of the Sea, equivalent to the Greek Poseidon. His pose, with one hand on the acrostolium (figurehead) of a vessel and his foot on the prow, reflects something of Hadrian’s frequent travels around the Roman world.
Publius Aelius Hadrianus, better known as Hadrian, was born in Spain in 76 AD and died in 138 AD. He ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138, during which time the Empire reached its apotheosis. Being the third of the so called Five Good Emperors, his rule was characterised by comparatively humanitarianism and conservatism. Following a political career of some distinction - he served as prefect, legate, consul, tribune and senator - it was his expedition to Parthia with Trajan led to his greatest success; Trajan became seriously ill and died on the way back to Rome, naming Hadrian as successor. Hadrian purged the senate of opposition upon his return to Rome, and set about a somewhat conservative reign that involved strengthening the empire's boundaries and the surrender of indefensible areas (i.e. Mesopotamia). He was known more for rule by threat and strength than active military conquest.
Personally, he was well educated and fond of the great Greek writers and philosophers, and was even appointed Archon in Athens. He was a great patron of the arts, including landscaping and architecture: under his reign the Pantheon was rebuilt, as well as many libraries, aqueducts, libraries and theatres. He was also a keen poet, an Epicurean philosopher and a huntsman, commissioning various reliefs showing him killing bears, lions etc. He is also notable for introducing the socially-acceptable beard - all other emperors before him had been clean shaven. The great love of his life was a boy named Antinous, which may explain the lack of natural heirs to Hadrian's lineage. Antinous drowned in the Nile aged about 19; the mourning Hadrian had him deified.
This is a striking and attractive ancient coin.
Reverse: COS III; Neptune, Holding a Trident and Acrostolium, Standing with Foot on Pro
Neptune was the Roman God of the Sea, equivalent to the Greek Poseidon. His pose, with one hand on the acrostolium (figurehead) of a vessel and his foot on the prow, reflects something of Hadrian’s frequent travels around the Roman world.
Publius Aelius Hadrianus, better known as Hadrian, was born in Spain in 76 AD and died in 138 AD. He ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138, during which time the Empire reached its apotheosis. Being the third of the so called Five Good Emperors, his rule was characterised by comparatively humanitarianism and conservatism. Following a political career of some distinction - he served as prefect, legate, consul, tribune and senator - it was his expedition to Parthia with Trajan led to his greatest success; Trajan became seriously ill and died on the way back to Rome, naming Hadrian as successor. Hadrian purged the senate of opposition upon his return to Rome, and set about a somewhat conservative reign that involved strengthening the empire's boundaries and the surrender of indefensible areas (i.e. Mesopotamia). He was known more for rule by threat and strength than active military conquest.
Personally, he was well educated and fond of the great Greek writers and philosophers, and was even appointed Archon in Athens. He was a great patron of the arts, including landscaping and architecture: under his reign the Pantheon was rebuilt, as well as many libraries, aqueducts, libraries and theatres. He was also a keen poet, an Epicurean philosopher and a huntsman, commissioning various reliefs showing him killing bears, lions etc. He is also notable for introducing the socially-acceptable beard - all other emperors before him had been clean shaven. The great love of his life was a boy named Antinous, which may explain the lack of natural heirs to Hadrian's lineage. Antinous drowned in the Nile aged about 19; the mourning Hadrian had him deified.
This is a striking and attractive ancient coin.