 |
 |
 |
Loading...
| Search Result for "13063" | ||||
| Lot | Description | Status | ||
13063 Click to enlarge photo | Nero. AD 54-68. Bronze Sestertius, (26.4g). Lugdunum mint, issued AD 65.Laureate head of Nero to right, around NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, rev. around PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, S C across field, temple of Janus with closed doors, on right of temple.gVF. Sl surface roughness, deep medium-brown green patina revealing excellent hair detail.S.1958, RIC 438, WCN 419, BMC 319.The temple of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, was one of Rome?s most ancient centres of worship. It was said that Romulus had built it after he made peace with the Sabines, and that it was king Numa who decreed that its doors should be opened during times of war and shut during times of peace. In all of Roman history up until the reign of Nero the temple doors had been shut perhaps five or six times ? once under king Numa (who originated the tradition), once at the end of the Second Punic War, three times under Augustus, and, according to Ovid, once under Tiberius.In 65 AD, when peace had been generally established in the Empire, Nero understandably requested the closing of the temple?s doors. He marked the event with great celebrations and commemorated it by issuing a large and impressive series of coins. The inscription on this issue announces ?the doors of Janus have been close after peace has been procured for the Roman People on the land and on the sea." Despite Nero?s contentment with affairs on the empire?s borders, the year 65 AD was rife with domestic tragedy: much of Rome was still in ashes from the great fire of the previous year, Nero narrowly escaped death in the Pisonian conspiracy, and not long afterward he kicked to death his pregnant wife Poppaea. (P) | SOLD at A$1000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|