Psidia, Baris, Caracalla, AE Tetrassarion, 198-217 AD – Zeus – RRRRR

$370.00

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SKU: R6.8 Categories: ,

Description

Roman Provincial, Psidia, Baris, Caracalla, AE Tetrassarion (bronze, 11.9g, 25.6mm), 198-217 AD
Obv: MAP AYP ANTĪ©NŠ„INOC KAI; bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, seen from behind
Rev:Ā  BAPHNĪ©N; Zeus seated left, holding thunderbolt in his right hand and long scepter in his left
Ref:Ā  Prowe III, 2032 var. Rarity/Choice: Extremely Rare, Good (one of the best-known among few examples for this issue)
Note: Caracalla, officially known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was a Roman Emperor who ruled from AD 198 to 217. He is remembered for his ambitious military campaigns and the Constitutio Antoniniana, which granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire. His reign, however, was also marked by political intrigue and a reputation for ruthlessness. During Caracalla’s reign, the Roman Empire continued to face internal strife and external threats. His military campaigns were extensive, particularly in the east, where he sought to consolidate Roman power and defend against invasions. Caracalla’s issuance of the Constitutio Antoniniana in AD 212 was a significant legal reform that extended citizenship to many inhabitants of the empire, aiming to unify and strengthen the Roman state. Baris, a city in Pisidia, would have been influenced by these broader imperial policies and the emphasis on military strength and divine favor. The imagery on this Tetrassarion reflects these themes, presenting Caracalla as a powerful and legitimate ruler under the protection of Zeus. The obverse features a bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla facing right, seen from behind. The bare head reflects a more traditional and stoic representation, while the drapery and cuirass highlight his status as a military leader.Ā  The reverse shows Zeus seated left, holding a thunderbolt in his right hand and a long scepter in his left. Zeus, the king of the gods, symbolizes divine authority and protection. His depiction with these attributes emphasizes strength, power, and stability. (BAPHNĪ©N” translates to “Of the People of Baris,” indicating the city’s name)