Greek and Roman Coins: Divine Mythological Representations

MYTHOLOGICAL REPRESENTATIONS ON GREEK AND ROMAN COINS

The deities of ancient Greece and Roman coins were prominently featured on their symbols, serving as symbols of power, divinity, and cultural identity. This article explores the various mythological representations found on these coins, offering insights into the significance and attributes of the gods and goddesses depicted.

1. Jupiter

Description on Coins: Jupiter, the king of the gods, is frequently depicted on Greek coins with a laurel wreath, venerable aspect, and flowing beard. On the reverse of many regal Greek coins, he is seated in a chair, holding a hasta pura in his left hand and an eagle or a small figure of victory in his right.
Special Representations: On coins from Athens, Jupiter is shown on foot, launching a thunderbolt. In Seleucia, he is represented in his most ancient form, as a large stone or rock.

2. Saturn

Occurrence: Saturn is less commonly found on Greek coins but appears on coins of Roman families such as Calpurnia, Rostuinia, and Ser-Filia.
Attributes: Saturn is identified by his sickle, hence Ovid’s reference to him as falcifer (sickle-bearer).

3. Neptune

Representation on Coins: Neptune, god of the sea, is depicted on many Greek and Roman coins. On coins from Posidonia, he stands erect and launches a trident, while on a coin of Hadrian, he holds the acrostolium and rests his foot on the prow of a vessel.

4. Apollo

Depictions: Apollo’s head is a common feature on the gold coins of Philip of Macedon and numerous Greek cities. He is portrayed as youthful, beardless, and often laureated.
Special Features: When represented as the sun god on Rhodes’ coins, his head is surrounded by rays. In some Roman coins, he appears in female attire.

5. Mars

Commonality: Mars is rare on Greek coins but frequently appears in the Roman series, often depicted as a naked figure with a spear in his hand and a trophy on his shoulder.
Specific Representation: On a coin of Corfinium, Mars is shown standing before an erect spear, symbolizing his martial nature.

6. Mercury

Attributes: Mercury is easily recognizable by his winged hat (petasos) and staff (caduceus). He appears on an elegant coin by Marcus Aurelius with the legend PIETATI AVG.

7. Aesculapius

Depiction: Aesculapius, the god of medicine, is typically shown at full length with a long bushy beard, leaning on his staff, around which a serpent is entwined. He sometimes appears with Hygeia and Telesphorus.
Special Representation: On a brass coin of Caracalla, he is depicted with Telesphorus, enveloped in a mantle and peaked hood.

8. Bacchus

Identification: Bacchus, the god of wine, can be identified by his thyrsus (a staff) and crown of ivy and vine leaves. His bust appears on many Greek coins.
Full-Length Depictions: When depicted at full length, Bacchus holds the thyrsus and cantharus (a drinking cup). On some imperial Greek coins, he appears in a chariot drawn by centaurs.

9. Serapis

Description: Serapis is characterized by the modius (a grain measure) on his head and is found on some coins of Sicily but more frequently on those from Alexandria in Egypt.
Special Depictions: On some Egyptian coins, he is shown as the Egyptian Pluto, often in the company of Cerberus, the three-headed dog.

10. Hercules

Appearance on Coins: Hercules is depicted on coins from many Greek cities, often wearing the lion’s skin. On most of the silver coins of Alexander the Great, his youthful, beardless face with short curly hair is shown.
Unique Representations: The coins of Smyrna feature Hercules Bibax, holding a scyphus in his right hand.

11. Harpocrates

Symbolism: Harpocrates, the god of silence, is known for his gesture of placing a finger on his mouth. He sometimes holds a sistrum and is depicted sitting on a lotus flower. His bust appears on a small brass Egyptian coin from the reign of Hadrian.

12. Apis

Representation: Apis, the sacred bull, is depicted with a star above his head on brass coins of Julian the Apostate.

13. Canopus

Depiction: Canopus, often represented as a vase with a human head, is a common figure on Egyptian coins.

14. Castor and Pollux

Appearance on Coins: Castor and Pollux, the twin gods, are shown on both Greek and Roman coins, typically on horseback with a star above the head of each. Their bonnets are also depicted on coins, surmounted by the same symbols.

15. Pan

Identification: Pan, the god of the wild, is easily recognized by his horns and ears. His head is depicted on coins of the Vibia family.

16. Anubis

Representation: Anubis, with his characteristic dog’s head, is depicted on coins believed to have been struck during the reign of Julian the Apostate.

17. Atis

Attributes: Atis is identified by his Phrygian bonnet, a common attribute in his depictions.

18. Lykus

Special Depiction: Lykus is shown on a coin of Septimius Severus struck in Antioch, wearing the Phrygian bonnet, his head backed by a crescent, with a cock standing at his feet.

19. Vulcan

Representation: Vulcan, the god of fire and metalworking, is depicted on coins from Lipara, Athens, and Aesema, often with his forge tools.

20. Bonus Eventus

Depiction: This figure appears on several Roman coins as a youthful, naked male holding a patera (sacrificial bowl) and ears of corn, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.

21. Juno

Attributes and Depictions: Juno can be recognized by her peacock, and she sometimes holds the hasta pura. On coins from Samos, she is shown covered with a long veil reaching her feet.
Specific Representations: Juno Sospita is depicted with a buckler and spear, her head covered by a goat’s skin, as seen on coins of the families Cornufidia and Mettia, as well as on the brass coins of Antoninus.

22. Diana

Attributes: Diana, the goddess of the hunt, is identified by her bow and quiver. When depicted as the Ephesian Diana, she appears as a multi-breasted figure, symbolizing fertility, with her hands outstretched, each resting on a reversed trident.

23. Minerva

Appearance: Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and war, is depicted on the gold coins of Alexander the Great, as well as on numerous Roman coins, usually with her helmet, spear, and shield.

24. Venus

Depictions: Venus appears on many Roman coins, often portrayed as a beautiful figure, either clothed or nude, leaning on a column with an apple in her right hand. Venus Victrix sometimes holds a small figure of victory and the hasta pura.
Special Representation: On coins from Cyprus, Venus is represented as a cone-shaped stone, reflecting her earlier, more abstract representations.

25. Cybele

Representation: Cybele, the mother goddess, is depicted wearing a turreted crown and is sometimes drawn by lions. On coins from Greek cities, she is shown riding on a lion or seated between two lions.

26. Ceres

Attributes: Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, can be recognized by her wheaten crown. She frequently appears on coins from Sicily.

27. Victory

Depictions: Victory is most commonly represented as a winged figure holding a palm branch and wreath. She is often shown standing on the prow of a vessel or carrying and crowning a trophy.
Unique Representation: Nike Apteros, or Wingless Victory, is depicted without wings, symbolizing a permanent state of victory.

28. Isis

Depiction: Isis appears on many Greek coins, particularly those of the Emperors struck at Alexandria in Egypt, with her head supported by the flower of the lotus. On several coins, she is shown as Isis Pharia, holding the sail of a vessel.

29. Nemesis

Attributes: Nemesis is recognized by the wheel at her feet, symbolizing fate. She appears on many coins from Smyrna and other cities.
Special Representation: On a coin of Macrinus struck at Cyzicus, Nemesis is shown with a turreted crown.

30. Astarte

Depiction: Astarte, a significant deity in Phoenician cities, is depicted on the coins of Byblus, crowned with a mural crown, holding a long staff

Depiction: Astarte, a significant deity in Phoenician cities, is depicted on the coins of Byblus, crowned with a mural crown, holding a long staff surmounted by a cross and resting her foot on the prow of a galley. On coins of Tyre and Sidon, she is shown as a busty woman with a radiated head placed on a car, emphasizing her importance in maritime trade and protection.

31. Personifications and Other Representations

Security: Often depicted seated in a chair or leaning on a column, symbolizing stability and protection.
Eternity: Represented holding a globe, denoting the perpetual existence and unending nature of the empire.
Justice (Aequitas): Depicted with scales, symbolizing fairness and the moral balance of society.
Moneta: Often shown with scales and a cornucopia, representing the personification of money and financial stability.
Liberty: Typically depicted walking, holding up her garment and presenting a bud, symbolizing freedom and liberation.
Fortune: Represented with a rudder and a cornucopia, indicating the control of fate and prosperity.
Felicitas: Shown with a long caduceus, symbolizing happiness and good fortune.
Peace: Often depicted holding an olive branch, representing the desired state of harmony and peace within the empire.
Piety (Pietas): Depicted in the act of sacrificing, symbolizing religious devotion and familial duty.
Abundance (Abundantia): Shown emptying a cornucopia, symbolizing prosperity and the wealth of resources.
Fecundity (Fecunditas): Depicted with her children, symbolizing fertility and the continuation of life.
Concord (Concordia): Often shown seated with a patera (sacrificial dish) and cornucopia, representing harmony and agreement among people or states.
Modesty (Pudicitia): Represented veiled, symbolizing chastity and moral integrity.
Virtue (Virtus): Depicted as an armed figure with a spear and shield, embodying bravery and military prowess.

32. River Gods

Representation: River gods are generally depicted seated on the ground, holding a bulrush and supporting an urn from which water flows, symbolizing the life-giving force of rivers.
Specific Coins: On coins from Antioch and other cities, the river is personified as a naked figure swimming at the feet of a female crowned with towers, seated on a rock, representing the city’s protective relationship with its water source.

33. Consecration of Emperors

Iconography: The consecration of an emperor is usually denoted by the legend “CONSECRATIO” on the reverse side of coins, accompanied by images of the funeral pile and an eagle, signifying the emperor’s apotheosis or deification.
Specific Depictions: Coins with this type often feature the emperor’s head bare, accompanied by the title “Divus,” indicating their divine status posthumously.

34. Consecration of Empresses

Thensa Carpentum: The divine car, known as the Thensa Carpentum, denotes the consecration of an empress, as seen on the coins of Agrippina.
Peacock Symbolism: The peacock, another symbol of consecration, is sometimes shown bearing the empress aloft, representing her ascent to divine status.
Cultural Significance: The ceremonies surrounding the consecration of an emperor or empress are detailed by ancient sources such as Herodian, and this practice is believed to have influenced the later tradition of saint canonization in Christianity.

35. Influence on Later Traditions

Canonization: The practice of consecrating emperors and empresses in ancient Rome, marked by the symbols and legends on coins, is thought to have influenced the development of canonization rituals in later religious contexts, particularly within the Christian tradition.

Conclusion

The depictions of deities and personifications on Greek and Roman coins offer a rich tapestry of mythological and cultural significance. These images served not only as a means of venerating the gods but also as powerful symbols of authority, divine favor, and the values held dear by ancient societies. The intricate designs and symbolism found on these coins continue to provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the ancient world, illustrating the enduring legacy of Greek and Roman mythology in art and culture.