Sulla80 Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 (edited) 21 minutes ago, DonnaML said: I have always thought of Serapis as a combination of Osiris and the bull Apis. Where does Zeus come in, and how does this depiction differ from the usual representations of Serapis? A good question...here are a few references: Quote "The god Serapis was a combination of the sacred bull, the Apis, and the god of the dead Osiris. In order to unify the Greeks and the Egyptians under one religion, Ptolemy I and his Greek advisors created a new god called Zeus-Serapis. They combined the already popular Serapis with Zeus, the King of the gods according to Greek and Roman belief. Images of Zeus-Serapis reflected both Greek and Egyptian traditions. The statues closely resembled Greek statues of Zeus, but they were also often wearing an object on their heads which was a common feature of ancient Egyptian statues of gods. Zeus-Serapis was usually depicted with a grain basket or measuring cup on his head, symbolising wealth and the harvest." -https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/zeus-serapis/ Quote "Serapis was a blend of the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis with the Greek god Zeus (and others) to create a composite deity who would resonate with the multicultural society Ptolemy I envisioned for Egypt. Serapis embodied the transformative powers of Osiris and Apis – already established through the cult of Osirapis, which had joined the two – and the heavenly authority of Zeus. He was therefore understood as Lord of All from the underworld to the ethereal realm of the gods in the sky." -World History Encyclopedia, Serapis For an ancient reference - Achilles Tatius (2nd century AD, Alexandria) author of "Leucippe and Cleitophon", one of the Greek romances that influenced the development of the novel. Quote 2. It so fortuned that it was at that time the sacred festival of the great god whom the Greeks call Zeus, the Egyptians Serapis, and there was a procession of torches. It was the greatest spectacle I ever beheld, for it was late evening and the sun had gone down; but there was no sign of night—it was as though another sun had arisen, but distributed into small parts in every direction; I thought that on that occasion the city vied with the sky for beauty. -Achilles Tatius, Leucippe and Clitophon, V.2 Edited September 7 by Sulla80 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Anthos Posted September 7 · Member Share Posted September 7 (edited) All part of the post Alexander conflationary mish-mosh that pretty much ended Hellenic culture. Imo. Edited September 7 by Phil Anthos spilling 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted September 7 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 7 19 minutes ago, Sulla80 said: "The god Serapis was a combination of the sacred bull, the Apis, and the god of the dead Osiris. In order to unify the Greeks and the Egyptians under one religion, Ptolemy I and his Greek advisors created a new god called Zeus-Serapis. They combined the already popular Serapis with Zeus, the King of the gods according to Greek and Roman belief. Images of Zeus-Serapis reflected both Greek and Egyptian traditions. The statues closely resembled Greek statues of Zeus, but they were also often wearing an object on their heads which was a common feature of ancient Egyptian statues of gods. Zeus-Serapis was usually depicted with a grain basket or measuring cup on his head, symbolising wealth and the harvest." -https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/zeus-serapis/ For an ancient reference - Achilles Tatius (2nd century AD, Alexandria) author of "Leucippe and Cleitophon", one of the Greek romances that influenced the development of the novel. 2. It so fortuned that it was at that time the sacred festival of the great god whom the Greeks call Zeus, the Egyptians Serapis, and there was a procession of torches. It was the greatest spectacle I ever beheld, for it was late evening and the sun had gone down; but there was no sign of night—it was as though another sun had arisen, but distributed into small parts in every direction; I thought that on that occasion the city vied with the sky for beauty. -Achilles Tatius, Leucippe and Clitophon, V.2 Thanks. But how does one distinguish a Roman Alexandrian depiction of Serapis on a coin from one of Zeus-Serapis? They look exactly the same to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 18 minutes ago, DonnaML said: Thanks. But how does one distinguish a Roman Alexandrian depiction of Serapis on a coin from one of Zeus-Serapis? They look exactly the same to me. There is no visual separation / distinguishing feature my view - Serapis from his origin/invention in the 3rd century BC brought together elements of multiple gods to appeal to a broad audience - the full equivalency with Zeus coming later under Roman rule. Serapis was depicted in a very Greek style, often shown as a bearded man similar to Zeus. His role as a supreme deity helped solidify his identification with Zeus in the eyes of Greek and Roman settlers in Egypt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 @DonnaML, that's a great question and I'm not sure if there is a definitive scholarly answer. I'm going to look through various Alexandrian coinage books to see how the various authors address the subject-- or if they do. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 (edited) 2 hours ago, Sulla80 said: Next: more from Egypt Julia Paula Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria Obv.: IOYΛIA ΠAYΛA CEB, bust right Rev.: L - Δ, bust of Serapis right, year 4 (=220/221) Billon, 12.85g, 23.3mm Ref.: Kampmann/Ganschow 57.15, Geissen 2366 Next: more Egypt Edited September 7 by shanxi 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted September 7 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 7 50 minutes ago, TIF said: @DonnaML, that's a great question and I'm not sure if there is a definitive scholarly answer. I'm going to look through various Alexandrian coinage books to see how the various authors address the subject-- or if they do. If you have a copy of Milne, take a look at pp. xxix, 12-13, and 146-147 for mentions of Zeus-Serapis. Vespasian issued two types specifically naming the figure of Zeus-Serapis on the reverse (Milne 444 & 450), both apparently distinguished from other representations of Serapis by the presence of a himation over only the left shoulder. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 RPC Volume: VI №: 10032 (temporary) Reign: Elagabalus Persons: Elagabalus (Augustus) City: Alexandria Region: Egypt Province: Egypt Denomination: Tetradrachm Average weight: 12.63 g. Issue: L B = 2 (218/9) Obverse: Α ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΜΑ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤωΝΙΝΟϹ ΕΥϹΕΒ; laureate head of Elagabalus, right Reverse: L Β; Sarapis bust right, draped and wearing kalathos. 23mm, 11.64g. Reference: D 4137, Ο 2757, Geissen 2313, E 2952 (2) Specimens: 27 NEXT: some more Egypt 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 (edited) 4 hours ago, DonnaML said: Thanks. But how does one distinguish a Roman Alexandrian depiction of Serapis on a coin from one of Zeus-Serapis? They look exactly the same to me. Oddly Turcans "The Cults of The Roman Empire" has a section p76-128 that covers "Zeus-Serapis & Hellenized Egypt" without drawing a very clear connection between Zeus and Serapis beyond the title section. The NY MET has this statuette of Zeus-Serapis https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254785 and describes the link this way: "Serapis was essentially a construct of the Ptolemaic Greek rulers of Egypt, a conflation of the local gods Osiris and Apis. Although gradually subsumed into the all-pervading cult of Isis, Serapis was worshipped throughout the Roman world in the guise of Zeus, ruler of the heavens, or that of Hades, god of the Underworld." 1 hour ago, expat said: RPC Volume: VI №: 10032 (temporary) Reign: Elagabalus Persons: Elagabalus (Augustus) City: Alexandria Region: Egypt Province: Egypt Denomination: Tetradrachm Average weight: 12.63 g. Issue: L B = 2 (218/9) Obverse: Α ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΜΑ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤωΝΙΝΟϹ ΕΥϹΕΒ; laureate head of Elagabalus, right Reverse: L Β; Sarapis bust right, draped and wearing kalathos. 23mm, 11.64g. Reference: D 4137, Ο 2757, Geissen 2313, E 2952 (2) Specimens: 27 NEXT: some more Egypt Serapis with Cerberus Next: More Egypt Edited September 7 by Sulla80 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 5 minutes ago, Sulla80 said: Next: More Egypt Phillipe II (07 ou 08/247 - 09/249) - Tétradrachme de l'atelier d'Alexandrie, AD 247-248 A K M IOV ΦΙΛIΠΠOC EV, Buste lauré, drapé et cuirassé à droite vu par l'arrière Homonia debout à gauche tenant une double corne d'abondance, LE dans le champ à gauche (5° année de règne) 24 mm - 12.42 gr Ref : Emmett # 3593/5 (R1), Kampmann # 76.48 Next : follow up with Egypt Q 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 Egypt. Alexandria. Salonina AD 254-268. Billon-Tetradrachm 21 mm, 9,65 g Volume: X №: — (unassigned; ID 75575) Reign: Gallienus (sole reign) Persons: Salonina (Augusta) City: Alexandria Region: Egypt Province: Egypt Denomination: Tetradrachm Average weight: 9.76 g. Issue: Year 15 (AD 267/8) Obverse: ΚΟΡΝΗΛΙΑ ϹΑΛωΝΕΙΝΑ ϹΕΒ; draped and diademed bust of Salonina, right Reverse: L ΙΕ; eagle standing right, spreading wings, holding wreath in beak; to upper left, palm branch. NEXT: Salonina 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted September 7 · Supporter Share Posted September 7 3 minutes ago, expat said: NEXT: Salonina Salonina, antoninianus COR SALONINA AVG- buste diadémé de Salonine à droite, posé sur un croissant IVNONI CONS AVG, antilope à gauche 24mm., 3.22g CMR Gallien # 29aa4 Next : Gallienus zoo series Q 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 GALLIENUS struck 267-268 CE, Rome mint, 8th officina, 10th issue AE antoninianus; 3.40 gm, 20.7 mm Obv: GALLIENVS AVG; radiate head right Rev: MERCVRIO CONS AVG; criocamp (sea ram) right; H below Ref: MIR 36, 741b; RIC V (sole reign) 242; Wolkow 21a8 (R); Cunetio 1389 Next: Gallienus provincial 9 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 Gallienus Alexandria, year 15 = AD 267/268 Billon-Tetradrachm Obv.: ΑVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right Rev.: LIЄ = year 15, eagle, wings closed, standing left on thunderbolt, wreath in beak, palm in field right Billon, 11.96g, 22.8mm Ref.: Geissen III 2944; Kampmann 90.97 Next: provincial eagle 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 4 minutes ago, shanxi said: Next: provincial eagle Philippe Ier l'arabe (25/02/244-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 244 ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄΒ, Buste radié et cuirassé à gauche vu par l'arrière ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC, Aigle de face, les ailes déployées, la tête a gauche, tenant une couronne dans son bec et une palme dans ses serres. A l'exergue SC 27 mm, 12.42 g, 1 h Ref : Prieur # 313, McAlee # 893, BMC #512 Next : Philip the Arab provincial Q 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 EGYPT, Alexandria. Philip I Regnal year 4 (246/7 CE) BI tetradrachm; 22mm, 11.61 gmNGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5. Dated Regnal Year 4 (AD 246/7). Obv: A K M IOV ΦIΛΠΠOC ЄV CЄB; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Philip I right Rev: bust of Serapis-Pantheos right; serpent-entwined trident behind, cornucopia before, L-Δ across upper fields Ref: Emmett 3510; Dattari 4916; RPC VIII unassigned, ID 2808 ex Morris Collection (Phil Peck) Next: Philip II, son of Philip the Arab 10 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 Philip II, AR antoninianus. 22.4 mm, 4.91 g.(Thick flan), Rome mint, 249AD. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. / LIBERALITAS AVGG III, Philip I, holding short sceptre, and Philip II seated left on curule chairs, extending right hands. RIC 230; RSC 17, Sear 9265. Appears to be reverse die match to example held by American Numismatic Society NEXT: Curule chair 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted September 8 · Patron Share Posted September 8 (edited) Caracalla, 198-217 CE. Roman AR Denarius 3.37 g, 19.7 mm. Rome mint, 211 CE. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head, right. Rev: INDVLG FECVNDAE, Julia Domna as Indulgentia, wearing polos, seated left on cerule chair, extending right hand and holding scepter. Refs: RIC 214; BMCRE 73; RCV 6805. Next: Mean-looking Caracalla. Edited September 8 by Roman Collector Add photo 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 47 minutes ago, Roman Collector said: Next: Mean-looking Caracalla. Is that enough mean looking ? Caracalla, Antoninianus - Rome mint, 216 CE ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right, seen from behind VENVS VICTRIX, Victory standing left, holding helmet and sceptre, resting on shield set on a captive, another captive at her feet 4.87 gr Ref : RCV # 6785, RIC # 312c, RSC # 612b Next : Venus (she shoudn't be mean looking at all I guess !) Q 10 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted September 8 · Supporter Share Posted September 8 Julia Soaemias. Augusta AD 218-222. Rome Denarius AR 17 mm, 2,53 g Julia Soaemias Denarius. 220-222 AD. IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, draped bust right / VENVS CAELESTIS, Venus standing half-left, holding apple and sceptre, star in right or left field. RIC 241; Sear 7719; RSC 8a. NEXT: Julia Soaemias 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted September 9 · Patron Share Posted September 9 Julia Soaemias, 218-222 CE. Roman Provincial AE 21.4 mm, 12.48 g. Samaria, Sebaste, 218-222 CE. Obv: SVΛEMIAS ΛV[GVSTΛ] SEB, bare-headed and draped bust, r. Rev: COL• L• SE• [SEB• ASTE•], temple of the Capitoline Jupiter* with four columns; Jupiter standing in center between Athena and Hera. Wreath within pediment. Ref: Rosenberger 36 (die match); Price & Trell 786; SNG ANS 1083. Next: Temple with decorated pediment. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted September 9 · Supporter Share Posted September 9 (edited) pellet and capricorn in pediment Trajan Pergamon, Mysia AE 18, AD 98-117 Obv: TPAIANOC CTPIΠΩΛΛIΩNOC, Tetrastyle temple containing cult statue standing facing; in pediment, pellet. Rev: AVΓOVCTOC / ΠEPΓA, Tetrastyle temple containing statue of emperor standing facing; in pediment, capricorn. AE, 4.59g, 18mm Ref.: SNG France 2063 Next: two or more temples Edited September 9 by shanxi 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanzi Posted September 10 · Member Share Posted September 10 This has been sitting, so I will play a technicality. Here are two temple coins Japan, Yoshida Shrine AE E-sen, temple token Obverse: Man pulling a stubborn horse, 吉田 Reverse: Blank Posted to Numista and Zeno (334256) Japan, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine AE E-sen, temple token Obverse: Tenjin sitting below facing forward, surrounded by pine and plum trees Reverse: Blank Posted to Numista and Zeno (334257) Next: more religious exonumia of any period 8 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akeady Posted September 10 · Supporter Share Posted September 10 Here's a recent one I photographed last night. I already had a medal with the interior of this church, but this is the exterior. Pius IX, 1865. Annual medal. Construction of the square in front of the Basilica of "San Lorenzo Al Verano". Opus: Giuseppe Bianchi. Ø 44 mm. Ag. 33,93 g. Cleaned, hairlines And here it was in January 2022 - the facade was blown off in an air raid in 1943 and has been repaired, but some of the decoration has been lost. Next - some building or natural feature on a coin or medal that you've gone to visit. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted September 10 · Supporter Share Posted September 10 Freiburg, Germany Medal for the Matriculation of the 2000th student Av: VIVAT ACADEMIA SEMPER SIT IN FLORE, city view, 1904 Rv: allegorical figure writing 2000 Year: 1904 Material: Silvered, 33.8 mm, 17g Next: Coin or medal of your hometown 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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