2012-05-30T22:40:35+01:000http://www.finds.org.uk/romancoins/personifications/index/format/jsonhttp://www.finds.org.uk/romancoins/personifications/index/format/xmlhttp://www.finds.org.uk/romancoins/personifications1ApolloApolloApolloApollo was the sun-god, the god of prophesy, healing, music and the arts. His most common attribute is the lyre (a musical instrument). The object shown here in his right hand is probably a plectrum used to play the lyre. Unlike most male gods Apollo is normally shown clothed rather than naked, and often looks very feminine.Apollo appears on Roman coins from the 3rd century BC until the end of the 3rd century AD. He is often given the titles Propugnator or Conservator meaning ‘The Defender’.Apollo.jpg2005-01-16 23:19:18godClothed, feminineLyrePlectrumApollo00000-00-00 00:00:0002CeresCeres_(Roman_mythology)CeresCeres is normally shown holding ears of corn downwards in her right hand. This is a symbol of her role as the goddess of agriculture and fertility. She often wears a crown made of corn-ears and carries either a cornucopia (a horn filled with fruits) or a torch (a reference to her search through the underworld for her daughter Proserpina). Ceres is easily confused with <a href="reverses.php?reverseID=10">Annona</a> who shares many of the same attributes. Ceres appears on coins produced between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD. She is most common on coins struck in the name of the 2nd century empresses.Ceres.jpg2005-01-16 23:19:18godCrown of cornCornucopiaTorchDemeter00000-00-00 00:00:0003DianaArtemisDianaDiana was the goddess of wild-life and hunting. She is often be identified by her attributes – a bow and arrow or quiver of arrows. As the moon-goddess (the brother of Apollo the sun-god) she is sometimes named Diana Lucifera (meaning ‘Diana the light-bringer’) and shown with a crescent moon above her head and holding a torch. Diana is not a common subject on coins, but does appear occasionally from Republican times until the mid 3rd century AD.Diana.jpg2005-01-16 23:22:40godBow and arrowQuiver of arrowsArtemis00000-00-00 00:00:0004HerculesHerculesHerculesHercules is one of the most recognisable gods. He is almost always shown naked and with his famous attributes of a club and a lion’s skin (here worn knotted around his neck). He is a popular subject on coins of the Roman Republic, which often show is 12 labours, and on those struck in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Hercules.jpg2005-01-16 23:22:40godUsually nakedClubLion's skinHeracles00000-00-00 00:00:0005MarsAresMarsThe attributes of Mars – a shield and spear or a <a href="reverses.php?reverseID=21">trophy</a> – reflect his role as the god of war. He is shown either naked except for a cloak or in full armour and is easily confused with <a href="reverses.php?reverseID=22">Virtus</a>. Mars appears on coins of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire until the end of the 3rd century AD. He is often given the titles Conservator, Propugnator (both ‘The Defender’), Ultor (‘The Avenger’), Victor (‘The Victorious’) and Pacifer (‘The Peace-bringer’) who holds an olive-branch.Mars.jpg2005-01-16 23:24:04godShieldSpearTrophyAres00000-00-00 00:00:0006Sol InvictusSol InvictusSolSol was the sun-god. He is identified by his ‘radiate crown’ (crown of sun-rays) and by a globe or whip. Alternatively he is shown raising his hand towards the heavens or charging through the sky in his chariot. Sol rarely appears on coins before the 3rd century AD, but thereafter is one of the most common subjects until the time of Constantine the Great (AD 306-337). He is often given the titles Comes (‘Companion’), Invictus (‘Unconquered’) and Oriens (referring to the eastern or rising sun).Sol.jpg2005-01-16 23:24:04godRadiate crownGlobe or whipChariot in sky00000-00-00 00:00:0007RomaRoma (mythology)RomaRoma was the goddess who personified the city of Rome and the Roman world. Like Minerva she is normally shown wearing a helmet and armour and commonly holds a small figure of Victory. She sometimes carries a spear or sceptre and is often seated on a pile of captured armour. Roma appears on coins of all periods including silver siliquae struck in the 4th century AD after the pagan gods were abandoned in favour of Christianity.Roma.jpg2005-01-16 23:28:42godSeated on armourSpear or sceptreSmall victory in hand.00000-00-00 00:00:0008VenusAphroditeVenusVenus was the goddess of beauty and love. She is sometimes shown only partially clothed and holding an apple (the prize awarded to her by the Trojan prince Paris). On other coins she holds a helmet, a sceptre or is accompanied by a cupid. Venus appears on coins from Republican times until the early 4th century AD and most commonly on those struck in the name of the 2nd century empresses. She is often given the titles Caelestis (‘Heavenly’), Felix (‘The Fortunate’), Genetrix (‘Mother or Ancestress of the Romans’) and Victrix (‘The Victorious’).Venus.jpg2005-01-16 23:28:42godHolding an appleAccompanied by CupidHolds helmet and sceptreAphrodite00000-00-00 00:00:00027JupiterJupiter_(mythology)JupiterJupiter was the father of the gods. He normally appears as an older, bearded man and holds a thunderbolt and a sceptre. Other common attributes include an eagle and a small figure of <a href="victoria">Victory</a>. Jupiter appears on coins of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire until the adoption of Christianity in the 4th century. He is often given the titles Optimus Maximus (‘The Best and Greatest’), Conservator (‘The Defender’), Custos (‘The Protector’), Stator (‘The Stayer’ in battle), Tonans (‘The Thunderer’) and Victor (‘The Victorious’). Jupiter.jpg2005-02-14 16:35:55godBearded, older manThunderbolt and SceptreEagle, small VictoryZeus00000-00-00 00:00:00028MinervaMinervaMinervaMinerva is a war-goddess. She wears a helmet and an aegis (a snake-skin cloak fastened over the breastplate with a gorgon-head) and carries a spear and shield. Sometimes she is shown holding a small figure of <a href="reverse_victory.php">Victory</a> and is easily confused with <a href="reverses.php?reverseID=7">Roma</a>. Minerva appears of coins from the 3rd century BC until the 3rd century AD and is particularly common on copper asses of Claudius I (AD 41-54) and on silver denarii of Domitian (AD 81-96). Like <a href="reverses.php?reverseID=5">Mars</a> she is sometimes given the title Pacifera (‘The Pace-bringer’) and holds an olive branch.Minerva.jpg2005-02-14 16:38:01godAegisHelmetShield and spearAthena00000-00-00 00:00:00030VictoriaVictoria (mythology)Throughout Rome ’s history her armies fought either to increase the territories of the Roman World or to protect them from attack. The figure of Victory [VICTORIA] became a symbol of military success. Victory can always be identified by her wings. And by her attributes (the things she carries); normally a wreath and palm-branch, sometimes a shield or occasionally a trophy. Victory is a very common subject on Roman coins from Republican times onwards. In this example, the coin celebrates a victory in Britain – BRIT(annia) – by the emperor Septimius Severus (AD 193-211).victory.jpg0000-00-00 00:00:00godWingsWreathPalm Branch02010-02-23 09:04:475631PaxPax (mythology)While we associate the Romans with warfare and world conquest, they were always keen to show that it was through their armies that they were able to guarantee peace within the provinces of the Roman Empire. Pax can be identified by the olive-branch that she carries. She normally holds a sceptre or cornucopia in her other hand. Pax is a common subject on coins from the time of Julius Caesar until the 4th century AD, and particularly on 3rd century radiates. Pax.jpg2010-10-12 16:51:21godOlive branchSceptreCornucopia562010-02-23 09:04:47569AequitasAequitasAequitasAequitas is the female personification of fair-dealing. She is normally draped and holds scales in one hand and either a sceptre or a cornucopia in the other. These attributes are also associated with Moneta, the rarer personification of the Mint. Aequitas appears on coins produced between the late 1st and late 3rd centuries AD.Aequitas.jpg2005-01-16 23:29:39virtueDrapedScalesSceptre/Cornucopia00000-00-00 00:00:00010AnnonaAnnona (Mythology)AnnonaAnnona is the female personification of the grain supply on which the city of Rome depended. She is normally shown draped and holds corn-ears and a cornucopia (making her easily confused with <a href="reverses.php?reverseID=2">Ceres</a>). Other attributes associated with Annona are a modius (corn measure) and a ship’s prow, both of which are shown at her feet. Annona appears on coins produced between the mid 1st and late 3rd century AD. Annona.jpg2005-01-16 23:29:39virtueDrapedCorn ears/CornucopiaModius or Ship's prow00000-00-00 00:00:00011FelicitasFelicitasFelicitasFelicitas is the female personification of prosperity. She is normally shown draped and holds a caduceus (staff decorated with a pair of entwined serpents) and a cornucopia. Other common attributes include a basket of fruit, a globe, a palm-branch or a patera (dish). Felicitas appears on coins from the mid 1st century BC to 4th century AD. Coin inscriptions often specify the prosperity of the Emperor (Felicitas Augusti), of the State (Felicitas Reipublicae), of the Age (Felicitas Saeculi) or of the Times (Felicitas Temporum).Felicitas.jpg2005-01-16 23:31:11virtueDrapedCaduceus/CornucopiaFruit/globe/patera/palm00000-00-00 00:00:00012FortunaFortunaFortunaFortuna is the female personification of Fortune. She is normally shown draped and holds a rudder (sometimes resting on a globe) and a cornucopia. Other attributes associated with Fortuna are an <a href="reverse_pax.php">olive-branch</a>, a patera (dish) or a wheel. Coin inscriptions often present her as Fortuna Redux (‘Fortune the Bringer-back’) who ensures that the emperor returns safely from his travels.Fortuna.jpg2005-01-16 23:31:11virtueDrapedHolds rudder/cornucopiaOlive branch/wheel/patera00000-00-00 00:00:00013GeniusGenius (mythology)GeniusThe Latin word Genius means spirit. Genius is normally shown as a naked male holding a patera (dish) and a cornucopia. Other common attributes include corn-ears and a sceptre. Genius most commonly appears on coins of the 3rd and early 4th century, especially of Diocletian and his colleagues (AD 295-c.318). He is commonly represented as Genius Populi Romani (‘The Spirit of the Roman People’), Genius Augusti (‘The Spirit of the Emperor’), Genius Exercitus (‘The Spirit of the Army’) who holds a <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/romancoins/reverse_view.php?reverseID=20">military standard</a> and Genius Senatus (‘The Spirit of the Senate’) who is bearded and wears a toga.Genius.jpg2005-01-16 23:46:50virtuenaked malepateracornucopia30000-00-00 00:00:00014HilaritasHilaritasHilaritasHilaritas is the female personification of Rejoicing. She is normally draped and holds either one or two long palm-branches. Other common attributes include a cornucopia, a sceptre or a patera (dish). She is sometimes accompanied by children. Hilaritas is never a common subject on coins, but appear from the time of Hadrian until the late 3rd century AD.Hilaritas.jpg2005-01-16 23:46:50virtuecornucopiasceptre or a paterapalm-branches00000-00-00 00:00:00015LaetitiaLaetitiaLaetitiaLaetitia is the female personification of joy or gladness. She is normally draped and holds a wreath and a sceptre, although the latter is sometimes replaced with an anchor or a rudder. Laetitia appears on coins of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Laetitia.jpg2005-01-16 23:47:55virtuedrapedsceptrewreath/anchor/rudder00000-00-00 00:00:00016LiberalitasLiberalitasLiberalitasLiberalitas is the female personification of generosity. She is normally draped and holds an abacus and a cornucopia. Liberalitas appears on coins from the reign of Hadrian until the end of the 3rd century AD. Liberalitas.jpg2005-01-16 23:47:55virtueabacuscornucopiadraped00000-00-00 00:00:00022VirtusVirtus (deity)VirtusVirtus is a male personification of courage or bravery. He is normally shown helmeted and in full armour like <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/romancoins/reverse_view.php?reverseID=5">Mars</a>. His attributes are also similar to Mars - a spear and shield or a spear and small figure of Victory. Virtus, however, is often shown holding a parazonium, a large dagger-like object that projects from the waist. He appears on coins between the 1st and 4th centuries AD.Virtus.jpg2005-02-14 15:03:45virtueparazoniumhelmeted00000-00-00 00:00:00023SpesSpesSpesSpes is the female personification of hope. She is normally draped and holds a flower in her right hand and raises the hem of her dress with her left hand. Spes appears on coins from the 1st to the 4th century AD.Spes.jpg2005-02-14 15:04:29virtue00000-00-00 00:00:00024ProvidentiaProvidentiaProvidentiaProvidentia is the personification of foreseeing. She is normally draped and holds a rod which she points downwards, often at a globe placed at her feet. Occasionally she is shown holding the globe. Providentia appears on coins from the reign of Trajan until the early 4th century AD. Coin inscriptions often specify the foresight of the gods (Providentia Deorum), of the emperor (Providentia Augusti) and of the senate (Providentia Senatus).Providentia.jpg2005-02-14 16:27:59virtueRodGlobeDraped00000-00-00 00:00:00025PietasPietas (virtue)PietasPietas is the female personification of dutifulness. She is normally draped and holds either a patera (sacrificial dish) and a sceptre or an incense box (as here). In both cases she is sacrificing and an altar is commonly shown at her feet. Pietas appears on coins from the late 2nd century BC until the mid 4th century AD.Pietas.jpg2005-02-14 16:28:41virtue00000-00-00 00:00:00026SalusHygieiaSalusSalus is the female personification of health. She is normally shown draped and either seated, feeding a snake coiled around an altar, or standing, holding and feeding the snake. Salus appears on coins between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. Coin inscriptions often specify the welfare of the emperor (Salus Augusti), of the soldiers (Salus Militum) and of the state (Salus Reipublicae).Salus.jpg2005-02-14 16:32:42virtueSnakeDrapedAltarHygieia00000-00-00 00:00:00017Wolf and TwinsRomulus and RemusWolf_and_twinsThe mythological scene of a she-wolf suckling Romulus (the mythological founder of Rome) and his twin Remus is one of the most famous symbols of Ancient Rome. It first appears on coins during Republican times, but is best known as the reverse type of the massive commemorative coinage struck between AD 330 and 335 during the reign of Constantine the Great.Wolf_and_twins.jpg2005-01-16 23:53:55symbol00000-00-00 00:00:00018Priestly objectsPriestly objectsPriestly_symbolsReligion is an important theme on Roman coins. In addition to temples and altars, coins show ceremonial objects used by the various priestly colleges of Ancient Rome. The object on the far left of this coin is a simpulum (a ladle used by the the most senior college the Pontifices), that on the far right a lituus (a curved staff used by the Augures who normally made prophesies based on the flight of birds). Priestly objects appear on coins from the late Republic until the late 3rd century AD. The reverse is most commonly seen on radiates of Tetricus II (AD 272-274).Priestly_symbols.jpg2005-01-16 23:54:54symbol00000-00-00 00:00:00019Triumphal chariotRoman triumphTriumphThe triumph was a procession through the streets of Rome that marked a military victory. The quadrida (four-horse chariot) in which the emperor or victorious general rode appears on coins as a symbol of a successful military campaign. The quadriga and biga (two-horse chariot) are particularly common on Roman Republican coins, although not always associated with the triumph. Triumphal images occur most frequently on the coinage of the early emperors. Triumph.jpg2005-01-16 23:54:54symbol00000-00-00 00:00:00020Military standardsMilitary standardsMilitary_standardsEach legion of the Roman army had its own standards. These were poles toped with an eagle (and other symbols including a boar, bull, capricorn, etc) and decorated with lunar and solar emblems and phalerae (awards). The most common coins showing standards are the so-called Legionary denarii of Mark Antony produced in 32-31 BC, but they appear on coins of all periods. Military_standards.jpg2005-01-16 23:57:02symbol00000-00-00 00:00:00021Trophy (and captives)Trophy (and captives)Trophy_and_captiveA trophy is a monument erected to mark the defeat of an enemy in battle. It is shown as a cross onto which a suit of armour and weapons have been mounted. It is one of several very common symbols of military conquest and victory. The trophy is commonly shown together with captive(s) and also as an attribute of Mars [LINK] and Victory [LINK]. Trophies appear on coins of all periods.Trophy_and_captive.jpg2005-01-16 23:58:11symbol00000-00-00 00:00:000